NELSON] 



SPEAR AND PADDLE GUARDS 



227 



FIG. 72 Ivory spear guard for kaia 



In many cases these spear guards are made in the form of various 

 animal figures. 



Figures 72 and 73 represent a pair of beautifully made ivory guards 

 from Kaialigamut. One of them (figure 72) has the broad outer sur 

 face carved to represent grotesque semihumaii features, and the upper 

 end represents the face of a seal, while on the two sides are the figures 

 of white whales. On the other (figure 73), on both sides, are carved 

 semihuman faces, and on each side is the figure of a seal in relief, and 

 terminating in the head of a seal. 

 These are all beautifully executed 

 carvings. 



A guard from Cape Vancouver 

 (figure 12, plate LXXVIII) is in the 

 form of a hand, with the palm 

 pierced and a tuft of seal hair set 

 in the back and held in place by a 

 wooden plug. Another, from Cape 

 Nome (figure 5, plate LXXVIII), is 

 carved in the shape of the head of a white bear. A rounded guard with 

 truncated end (figure 13, plate LXXVIII) is from Sfugunugumnt. A 

 specimen from Agiukchugumut (figure 11, plate LXXVIII) is in the form 

 of the head and shoulders of a human being, with the hands repre 

 sented by a flipper etched on each shoulder. Another example from 

 Cape Xome (figure G, plate LXXVIII) is in the shape of the head of a 

 white bear, with fragments of blue beads representing the eyes and 

 another bead inlaid on the top of the head. 



On Nunivak island a somewhat different form of guard is made. It 

 is carved m the shape of a seal or other animal, with the body some six 



or seven inches in length, and has 

 a hole passing diagonally through 

 the side, through which are passed 

 the cross-cords. These figures 

 then lie diagonally along the cover 

 near the rail with the heads point 

 ing upward. 



Figure 14, plate LXXVIII, repre 

 sents one of these guards, which 

 is in the form of a land otter. 

 Figure 2, plate LXXVIII, shows an ivory guard, obtained at Kotzebue 

 sound, of a pattern different from those generally used. The portion 

 which rests on the cover of the kaiak is rounded above and tapers 

 downward to a wedge-shape point; the upright part forms an obtuse 

 point, which curves forward from the base. A similar guard, made 

 from deerhorn, was obtained on Sledge island. 



For repairing broken ribs or for strengthening weak places in the 

 frames of umiaks and kaiaks, strips of ivory or deerhorn are used as 



FIG. 73 Ivory spear guard lor kaiak (5). 



