Fighting dagger, c. 1825-1830
Tlingitexpand_more
Burly hardwood (probably maple), abalone, steel, leatherexpand_more
The Robert J. Ulrich Works of Art Purchase Fundexpand_more 2007.101
Not on Viewexpand_more
Every Tlingit man owned and carried a fighting dagger, which was always by his side. The Tlingit referred to this type of dagger as quoth-lar, meaning "to strike with the fist," and they used weapons like this against Native and non-Native enemies. The steel was probably salvaged from ship parts found on the shores of Alaska. The blade was Native-forged and is slightly concave for strength and ease of sharpening.
The bear, a central theme in Tlingit art, is considered a relative to humans. It has spiritual power because of this, and is highly respected in Tlingit traditions. The pommel of this dagger is unusual for the exceptionally fine and highly detailed carving of the bear's open mouth and teeth.
Details
- Title
- Fighting dagger
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2007.101
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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