Featured Canoe Cups, From the Fur Trade in Canada?

Hello everyone, I found three handmade wooden cups all strung together with leather strips. I separated them and thought at first they were South American, but after doing some reading, I think they are North American "Canoe Cups" possibly made by trappers or their Native guides to use as they travelled on water so they could scoop up water to drink. The carved toggles were used to attach to their belt so they would always be handy. One is carved of a knobby burlwood with lots of natural bumps and has fish handle with its tail wrapped around the cup and a little carved wooden canoe toggle. The next is carved with two fish that wrap around the cup and are attached at their heads with leather straps. The little one is also carved wood and also has a carved toggle and leather strap. I'd like to know their age, what region they are from and most importantly, if they are valuable and should I bring them to an auction house? I've seen prices from $200 to $3500 online. Thank you.

 

Just beautiful! @komokwa

 

Tres Magnifique!

 

The bottom photo looks like a Swedish kuksa cup.

 

Voyageur stuff is cool, and it has to be rare.

 

Fantastic pieces Komokwa !

 

I found this description of Canoe Cups online:
Canoe Cups:

Every voyageur carried a "tasse d'eau" or water cup in his belt so he could easily dip up a drink during long stints of paddling.

The canoe cup was every voyageur's opportunity to create a humorous or decorative piece of folk art. Usually made from a burl cut from a sugar maple, they were imaginatively carved, painted, or burned to reflect the taste and skill of each owner. The toggle which slipped under the sash to hold the cup was often made in the shape of a canoe, keg, man, or beaver.

 

Fairytale to sell tourist tat

 

ok..... wow........ I've always loved cups..... but never been an expert on them...

the 1st two look...over the top...to be NA antique.... the 3rd...???

the leather on the real old ones did not stand the test of time..... but it's the 3rd one who's leather does seem original to the cup...

imho

 

Here is a photo of my canoe cup.

 

You know Terry,if youre going to contribute you need not hold back.

 

just to add...
a traditional belt cup.....as I've always known them..... would have a length of deer or moose hide..... not a commercially tanned leather with that shiny side to it....

 

Oh my goodness - I have never heard of these and they are super fun! Learn something new everyday! Thanks for sharing!

 

This is the best part of belonging to this group.... learning new and interesting things every day! It keeps me out there hunting for unusual objects. I found these little cups at a church sale near me. You never know what you'll find. Thanks to everyone for your comments.

 

I kind of love them no matter what they are! (Of course, learning about what they are is the biggest bonus!)

 

@NewEngland I love them too. They have some older styling that doesn't look faked. Please report back if you learn anything off site.

 

and might have been replaced at some point with what looks like harness or belt leather.

 

Used what came handy, in true back-country fashion.

 

Those are great. How interesting,I had not idea about canoe cups/belt cups. Just googled,there’s ones with some very cool and creative designs.