Salish Fish Club

Salish carved fish club, circa 1960. Fishing is a central cultural feature of Northwest Coast peoples. Harvesting, processing, storing, and sharing fish by Northwest Coast Indigenous communities has allowed peoples from this region to spend their winters creating complex and monumental art and feasting since time immemorial. Decorated fishing implements, such as halibut hooks and fish clubs, such as this one, represent Northwest Coast cultures in deep and meaningful ways. This hefty carving is carved in a mid-20th century Coast Salish style and features a Human figure holding a rudimentary Copper shape over a Killer Whale head. Like other fish clubs, it is carved in a harder wood and stained a solid, dark color. The wide mouth, protruding, full cheeks and pronounced brow of the Human’s face connect this work to Canadian Coast Salish carvings from Vancouver Island during this period and may have been made by a Cowichan artist. There is an older red and white label with indistinct writing on it. 17" x 2".