Fishhooks

A great collection of six examples of fishhook technology from the New World. Starting at the left in the first photo: (1) and (2) New World, Alaska, Yupik people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A handsome wood and steel cod fishhook with three prongs, found on St. Lawrence Island (Bering Strait). Below that, a steel and wood Yupik fishhook with textile wrapped around the hook to hold it more tightly in place. Above that (3) and (4), New World, Pacific Northwest Coast, ca. early 20th century CE. A large halibut fishhook, made of two sharp iron components held tightly in place with thin twine. This hook style was designed to capture the correct size of halibut, who feed by opening their mouths wide. If the fish was too small, it would not be able to hook itself; if the fish was too large (and might capsize a small boat), it would put the entire hook in its mouth and not be barbed. To the lower right of that, another curved iron fishhook (5). Finally, (6) New World, Canada/Greenland, Inuit people, ca. 19th century CE. My favorite! A delightful fishing lure featuring a barbed iron hook, sinew line, and a bone body carved into the form of a squid with glass beads for eyes and the sinew line emerging from its wide mouth.