Cleveland Museum of Art

Fish or Seal Club (X’ús’)

Date

late 1800s–early 1900s

Medium

wood

Culture

Native North America, Northwest Coast, Alaska, Tlingit

Department

Art of the Americas

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Marine and river resources are crucial on the Northwest Coast, including halibut that can weigh several hundred pounds. The thrashing of such a large fish could endanger a canoe and so, after being thanked for surrendering its life, it was clubbed before being brought safely onboard. This example may represent a sea lion, a proficient hunter.

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