E0232: Inuit- Hunting Plug

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0232

Classification Category:

4:Tools & Equipment for Materials ➞ Fishing & Trapping Implements

Marks/Labels:

#232 in black ink

Materials:

animal ➔ ivory

Dimensions:

16.5 cm L
1.5 cm W

Provenance of Object:

Brevig Mission, Alaska

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Production Date:

1770-1940; likely late 1800's

Use/Function:

"Other items used during hunting were plugs and qanging. Plugs were used to plug the wounds on a seal made from the harpoon. This would stop the bleeding but also help preserve the animal’s flesh from decay. It was pushed into the wound, under the skin. A qanging is a piece of ivory or bone carved into many different shapes, some resembled seals while others were ‘Y’ shaped. They were used to secure a thong that had been strung through a hole in the seals throat and mouth. This was then used to tie the seal to a buoy or kayak. "- All the Small Things Exhibit.

Source Locality:

Alaska, USA

Description:

Inuit hunting plug made of ivory. Plugs were used to plug the wounds on a seal made from the harpoon. This would stop the bleeding but also help preserve the animal’s flesh from decay.

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