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Dagger (Gwálaa)
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After Europeans introduced firearms, the Indigenous Northwest Coast dagger transformed from a weapon into a status symbol worn in a sheath that hung from the neck. That may be the case with this example, which depicts a head surmounted by a fish, perhaps a salmon.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Tlingit |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1800s–early 1900s |
| Culture / Origin | Native North America, Northwest Coast, Alaska, Tlingit |
| Medium | Metal, shell, leather, fiber, ivory or horn |
| Dimensions | Overall: 2.5 x 6 cm (1 x 2 3/8 in.); Blade: 21 cm (8 1/4 in.) |
| Department | Art of the Americas |
| Type | Arms and Armor |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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