Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Otter Effigy War Club

Otoe

Not on view

A carved otter’s head appears above the ball at the striking end of this sculptural club, and a strip of otter fur embellishes the handle. The form of this weapon, along with an otter offering help, appeared in a dream to Iowa Coonskin, a member of the Otoe-Missouria nation. Coonskin is reported to have said, “The club . . . is just as powerful as a war bundle full of medicines.”

Otter Effigy War Club, Wood, brass tacks and nails, iron spike, otter skin, Otoe

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.