Mountain goat horns were prized by Northwest Coast Indigenous communities for their plastic-like ability to hold sharp lines and their pliability when steamed and shaped. While some horn spoons were carved into intricate masterpieces, many more were created to be used in everyday life. Utilitarian horn spoons are often undecorated, like these four examples, but they maintain an elegant form and beauty. As anyone who has visited the In a Different Light exhibit at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC can attest to, a large collection of even plain spoons can make a deeply impactful display when shown all together.

CWS