Halibut hook (Naxw)

Native American

ca. 1890

Yew wood, yellow cedar, iron, cedar bark twine, and commercial cotton twine

Seattle Art Museum

This halibut hook represents a human figure with animal-like feet biting an octopus tentacle, a motif associated with shamanic practices. This halibut hook represents a human figure with animal-like feet biting an octopus tentacle, a motif associated with shamanic practices. Halibut—giant flatfish that can weigh one hundred pounds or more—were traditionally caught from cedar canoes using special barbed hooks. Fishermen might use imagery that references the help of the shaman. This one represents a human figure with animal- like feet biting an octopus tenacle. The octopus appears frequently on shaman charms and was considered to be a supernaturally powerful being. Gift of John H. Hauberg Object number 91.1.105