Hand Crooked Knife (Mocotaugan)
Maker
Unknown, American
Collections
ClassificationsTOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Date19th Century
Mediumwood, iron, cord
Dimensionsknife: 1 7/8 x 8 3/4 x 3 1/2 in. (4.8 x 22.2 x 8.9 cm.)
mount: 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. (6.4 x 3.8 cm.)
overall (with mount): 6 3/8 x 3 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. (16.2 x 8.3 x 8.9 cm.)
DescriptionCarved wood handle in the form of a hand, thumb meeting finger tips and bent wrist, with metal blade; Northeastern Woodlands.
Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gift of Jonathan and Karin Fielding
Label TextA mocotaugan (crooked knife) is a type of draw knife used by Northeastern Woodlands cultures for carving or making wood splints for baskets. The user graps the wooden handle and draws the metal cutting blade towards the body. Decorative handles with carved figures, such as animals, geometric forms, or even ships figure heads are common. This extraordinary knife is in the shape of a human hand.Status
On viewObject number2016.25.137
