Nez Perce National Historical Park

Horn Spoons
Big horn sheep (Ovis canadensis) horns could be carved into spoons and ladles. The horns were immersed in boiling water, making them pliable and easier to work with. They could also be air dried, allowing the softer horn core to separate from the harder material on the exterior. Buffalo horns were also carved into spoons and ladles.

NEPE 8848 [left]
Horn. L 19.9, W 13.8 cm

NEPE 76 [right]
Horn. L 19.5, W 4 cm

Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 76, 8848



Horn Spoons Big horn sheep (Ovis canadensis) horns could be carved into spoons and ladles. The horns were immersed in boiling water, making them pliable and easier to work with. They could also be air dried, allowing the softer horn core to separate from the harder material on the exterior. Buffalo horns were also carved into spoons and ladles. NEPE 8848 [left] Horn. L 19.9, W 13.8 cm NEPE 76 [right] Horn. L 19.5, W 4 cm Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 76, 8848
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