Seal Bowl Item Number: A2449 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Deep red-brown wood bowl in the shape of a seal. Shaped as a smooth, rounded seal's head at one end with inlaid oval abalone shell eyes surrounded by a carved tapering oval, a nose that has inward bored circular nostrils with a vertical ridge in between, and an open mouth showing a tongue. The other end is shaped as a tail enclosed by u-shaped piece representing flippers consisting of a central shell inset ovoid and three horizontal bands with eight, nine or ten small circular insets. Flipper design carved at each side behind the head consisting of a central shell inset ovoid, a split u, and four curvi-linear lines with four or five small circular insets along the upper three. The tail is also outlined by small circular insets. In between the side flippers and the back flippers, there is a central shell inset ovoid. Flat rim is inlaid with nine opercula. Back of seal is concave, forming a dish. Carved areas are inlaid with opercula, abalone, and beads.
History Of Use
Used to serve food to guests on ceremonial occasions.
Iconographic Meaning
Seal may be a family crest emblem.
Narrative
Many dishes such as this one were produced in Sitka for the tourist art market. Similar ones can be found in many museums throughout North America, as these museums tend to have later collections that those in Europe.
Item History
- Made in Sitka, Alaska, USA ?
- Owned by Walter C. Koerner before April 8, 1976
- Received from Walter C. Koerner (Donor) on April 8, 1976
What
- Name
- Seal Bowl
- Identification Number
- A2449
- Type of Item
- bowl
- Material
- abalone shell, glass, operculum shell and wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- cut, polished, carved and inlaid
- Overall
- height 10.5 cm, width 18.0 cm, depth 39.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tlingit
- Previous Owner
- Walter C. Koerner
- Received from
- Walter C. Koerner (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sitka, Alaska, USA ?
When
- Ownership Date
- before April 8, 1976
- Acquisition Date
- on April 8, 1976
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 42
- Accession Number
- 0336/0100