Object of the Week: Inuit Fishhook

Fishing Hook, late 19th – 20th century
Inuit Culture; Seward Peninsula Area, Alaska
Walrus ivory, lead, glass bead, metal, nylon; 4 1/8 x 2 1/4 in.
Bowers Museum #39352
Gift of Mrs. Belden Morgan

Carved from walrus ivory this Inuit made fishhook cleverly resembles a fish. In addition to inlaid round blue glass eyes and lead details, two designs (now only partially inlaid with lead) are carved into each side of the body - one in the shape of a fish. Originating from the Alaskan Seward Peninsula area, the hook was used for ice hole fishing. A sinew (animal tendon) cord would have been connected through the hole where the red nylon cord is currently. The inlaid lead gives the object weight that allowed it to function both as a sinker as well as a hook. Once the fishing hook was dropped into an ice hole it was made to wiggle around in the water. This attracted fish that would bite on to the large bent metal hook. The Inuit created different shaped fishhooks for catching specific fish. This particular type of hook likely was used to catch Whitefish.


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