tsusgm hapsg̱awlgm g̱an (Spoon)

This spoon bears a strong resemblance to other utensils by Elwitt in the MOA collection as well as at the MOV and RBCM. The simple black pigment application and stripes conform to Elwitt’s style on figural spoons. Beaver, a primary crest of the Laxsgiik (Eagle-Beaver clan in Tsimshian groups) seems to have been a favourite subject of Elwitt’s, depicting beavers on spoons, totem poles, feast dishes, and clan hats.

A brown wood spoon with a narrow bowl and a beaver-shaped handle. The downward facing beaver has circular black eyes, small ears at the back of the head, a vertical black line down the nose with three black lines at either side to create a v-shape, and an open red mouth showing twelve plain teeth. The body is decorated with black lines and the tail is cross hatched. This spoon is carved in a light hardwood and elaborated with black stripes in handmade native pigment, with red pigment in the mouth.