Description: |
From a collection of watercolours and assorted sketches by Edward Adams, assistant surgeon on HMS Investigator, part of James Clark Ross's expedition, 1848-49, and on HMS Enterprise under Richard Collinson, 1850-55. After his experience in the Arctic, Adams passed his medical exams, and travelled to west Africa in May 1856 aboard the steampship Hecla. He died there of typhus, and was buried at Sierra Leone. The Inuinnait man in this watercolour is wearing a hat made of strips of caribou skin decorated with a loon's bear. This style of hat was worn during drum dances, which were held to welcome travelling groups or to celebrate a successful hunt. The loon was a powerful spiritual protector revered for its speed, keen eyesight, elegant song and colourful courtship dance. See, sketch, Y: 83/11/69. |