Lot 56: The Great Horn Spoon

Louis McClellan Potter (1873-1912)
The Great Horn Spoon
inscribed 'Louis Potter 1905--' (on the edge of the base)--inscribed 'Copyright 1905/by Gorham M'f'g-Co' and '10' (on the edge of the base)
bronze with brown patina
16 in. (40.6 cm.) high

"One of the customs of the Tlingit Indians of the coastal villages of Southeastern Alaska was the carving of the 'great horn spoon.' Potter observed this traditional craft--which he illustrated in this work--when he lived among them. The great horn spoon was a cherished ceremonial object, carved from sheep's horns or the twisted horn of the wild goat. The spoonmaker's task was to fashion the 'bowl' and handle of the spoon by alternately steaming and straightening the horn. He then decorated the spoon with intricately inlaid designs of copper, whalebone and mother of pearl and carved the handle with totemic symbols."