chisel (general & multipurpose)

24.102

This little chisel was used for wood carving and has as its blade the front teeth of a beaver. Beaver are not commonly found in the Arctic, as they require trees, but their range does reach the very edge of the treeline and obtaining beaver teeth from rivers or through trade would not have been difficult. Beaver teeth are specially adapted to be highly efficient and very strong, able to gnaw through thick trees and, thus, ideal for a tool of this type. This chisel clearly reflects the ability of Arctic toolmakers to recognise particular qualities in material and apply them appropriately as a means of survival.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
24.102
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 179 mm x 43 mm x 18 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
wood; tooth; sinew
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
On display: Horniman Museum > World Gallery > Americas > Arctic - clothing, shamanism and sharing food
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Collection Information

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