Net Needle
33.5 cm long x 1.5 cm wide x 1 cm tall
Ivory
Ayaak (Sledge Island), Alaska (Malimiut Iñupiaq), c. 1880
Collector: E. W. Nelson
Museum ID number: NEL.C1.r.0134
Net needles or netting shuttles were used to create nets for catching seals and fish. As this particular needle is quite slender it was likely used to create fine-mesh nets for fish. Usually, a cord would be passed through the hole in the middle of the needle and wrapped around until it was full with cord. It would have then been used to pass the cord through the net as knots were tied. The needle’s light color shows it was carved of fresh, rather than fossil ivory, and the needle displays a skilled carving pattern. The ivory is rough, showing heavy use. Markings on this item are familial which suggests this item was passed down from generation to generation.