Seal hunting tool

Seal hunting tool

Seal hunting device. Elongated in shape; carved from soft dark brown wood; rounded handle on one end; three pronged at other end with a seal claw on each prong. Seal claws are attached with sinew to wooden handle. A crack on top side leading into middle fork, some nicks in the handle.
  • Object: Seal hunting tool
  • Artist: Unknown
  • Circa: Unknown
  • Dimensions: 8" by 1 3/4" inches
  • Culture Area: Arctic
  • Cultural Group: Inuit
  • Cultural Context: Winter seal hunting device used to lure the seal to a breathing hole in the ice. The device is used to scratch the ice near the hole, and it duplicates the sound that the seal makes when attempting to clear the hole.
  • Donor: Corine Bollinger
  • Catalog #: 96.136