Thunderbird

Homer Barnett (1955) notes that spindle whorls used by the southern Coast Salish of British Columbia are larger than those used in the north, with a shaft that is twice as long as the whorl. In the north, fibres were spun on smaller whorls that were "twirled between the leg and palm (1955:118)." By contrast, whorls such as this one were used to spin fibres that were suspended from overhead. This arrangement created a tension in the roving. Johnson and Bernick (1986) report that traditionally several different techniques were used for turning the spindle, however, contemporary weavers now make use of a spinning machine that is similar in appearance to a treadle sewing machine.

weaving; contemporary art

The artist identifies the design on this spindle whorl as a thunderbird (inscription). C. F. Newcombe, a well-known museum collector in the Northwest Coast region, recorded that design motifs used on spindle whorls often represented personal spirit powers.

Michael Kew (1980) notes that spindle whorls are typically engraved, with many exhibiting an advanced wood working technique known as block engraving in which the figures are raised and details are added with sharply incised lines and other stylized elements. Design elements, such as human figures are often done in low relief. Animals are portrayed with blunt noses and birds have straight edges to their wings. The designs are outlined on a flat surface and then given depth through incising.

Spindle whorl composed of a disc-shaped segment with a bevelled edge and a central hole. A long tapered smooth cylinder with rounded ends perforates the sphere segment. The convex surface of the disc-shaped portion is engraved with a bird design. The central hole is located within the centre of the bird's body. Two wings are depicted one above and one below the body of the bird. The top wing has four feathers at the proximal end and six feathers depicted on the distal portion. The lower wing has three feathers depicted at the proximal end and four on the distal end. There are also four tail feathers. The head and body of the bird have a raised appearance indicative of block engraving, while the other details are incised. The following is written in black ink along the edge of the spindle whorl, "West Coast Salish Spindle Whorl Thunderbird by Richard Campbell Musqueam." A ball of white wool rests against the concave side of the spindle whorl.