Exceptional, museum quality 19th century Northwest Coast indigenous halibut hook of elegant bentwood construction in a fine state of preservation. Bone barb secured with spruce root. One sinew line was designed to secure the hook to the fishing line, and the other longer sinew line was to secure the bait to the hook as well as to be used as a wrapping to keep the bentwood's proper shape when the hook is being stored. This is a very early example utilizing only natural materials. It is from the collection of Frederick Fitzgerald, first president of Imperial Oil in the late 19th century. 

Dimensions: 6"x5.5"