Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands
Beaver Effigy Ladle
Maple Burl , 5 ¾” Length, c.1760 (possibly earlier)

The beaver effigy on this ladle is apparently feeding. The creature’s body rises up from a plane carved to represent a watery surface—its arms and paws holding washed food up to its mouth.

As with most successful Woodlands carvings, this carving is not highly detailed. The animal’s character is defined by essential points of reference and sophisticated observation that inspired a carving that seems to capture the animal’s spirit and shy demeanor.