Spirit Fish
Technique: Polished, carved, engraved. Materials: Steratite (soapstone); hardness <7; greenish-black in color. Design Elements: Stone shaped in shape of fish's body. (May be an eel). Fins on top and bottom.
- Object: Spirit Fish
- Artist: Agnes Topiak (1905-1979)
- Circa: Late 20th C
- Dimensions: L: 6 1/2"; H: 2"; 1 3/4" at broadest point
- Culture Area: Arctic
- Cultural Group: Inuit (Canadian)
- Cultural Context: The American eel is thought to be the Great Horned Serpent from Mi’kmaq and other First Nations legends. Also, the American eel skin was traditional used as a bandage for sprains and broken limbs and the skin could be made into thin strands to form hair strings. The oil from eel was used as a salve or ointment and parts of the American eel were provided as an offering to spirits to thank them for their help in surviving the winter. https://qalipu.ca/traditional-eel-harvest/
- Donor: George B. Robson
- Catalog #: 96.082