Thursday, October 17, 2013

Fishing Implements from Oceania and North America at Jacaranda Tribal

The practice of fishing has sustained coastal and seafaring tribes across the globe for some four hundred centuries. Fish hooks, those ancient inventions on which so many lives have depended, have passed through the generations in as many forms as there have been hands to craft them. At times ingenious, at times simplicity itself, these fragile works remind us that survival hangs by but a thread, and that the shapes of beauty often spring from our deepest needs.

Jacaranda Tribal is currently presenting an online exhibition of fishing implements from all quarters of the Pacific, from ancient Eskimo charms to enchanting, iridescent hooks from Melanesia. Their striking sculptural qualities matched only by their astounding variety, these miniature masterpieces are triumphs of age-old artistry.

Selections from the exhibition are on display here.
For a closer look at these beautiful pieces and many more, please visit


Fish hook  -  Hawaiian Islands, Polynesia

Bonito hook  -  Solomon Islands, Melanesia

Eskimo fish charm  -  North America

Pair of fish hooks  -  Hawaiian Islands, Polynesia

Eskimo hand rig  -  North America

Fish hook  -  Wuvulu Island, Papua New Guinea

Trio of fish hooks  -  Polynesia

Pair of fish hooks  -  Marshall Islands, Melanesia

Trio of fish hooks  -  Pacific

Halibut hook  -  Northwest Coast

Fish hook  -  Nukuoro Atoll, Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Prehistoric Eskimo fish hook  -  North America


Quartet of fish hooks  -  Tahiti, French Polynesia



Images property of Jacaranda Tribal - Copyright James Worrell 2013


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