Bowl Item Number: 1951.372A-B from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Description
A) Large rectangular bowl with the characteristic undulating rim and identical bilaterally symmetrical decoration at both ends. The rim is studded with operculum shells, some of which are missing. The sides have parallel grooves at either end, and a groove following the edge of the rim. The bowl is dark coloured and has traces of grease impregnating the wood. The oolichan grease served in such bowls tends to be absorbed following the grain of the wood, and therefore is more noticeable at the ends of the bowls rather than the centre. As the grease soaked ends dry out there is a tendency for the ends to split, as has happened to this bowl. The splits have been repaired by inserting strips of wood.
B) Small rectangular bowl with the characteristic undulating rim. The sides of the bowl are decorated with parallel grooves at either end, and a groove which follows the edge of the rim. The ends of the bowl are decorated with identical bilaterally symmetrical designs painted black and red. One end of the bowl has split.; Good
Context
An interesting feature of many of the northern area bowls is the grooves at either end of the sides. These grooves are a decorational legacy of the birch bark bowls made by neighbouring Athapaskans. The birch bark bowls had pleats at the corners, a functional feature which found a decorative equivalent in the wooden bowls of the Northwest Coast. The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; Bowls were used at feasts and potlatches, the smaller ones containing oolichan grease, into which dried salmon and other foods were dipped, and larger ones containing other foodstuffs. Together with the decorated spoons of mountain-goat horn the bowls represented a tangible connection between the owners, the lineage, and the economic resources consumed during the feast or potlatch. The display of crest bearing objects underlined the power structure operating at ceremonial events, and demarcated them as significant and removed from everyday existence. The representations carved on some bowls are deliberately ambiguous, thereby allowing a crest identity to be asserted by each owner as the object is exchanged (G.Crowther).
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Received from Wellcome Museum during 1951
Who
- Culture
- Haida ?
- Received from
- Wellcome Museum
Where
- Holding Institution
- MAA: University of Cambridge
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Acquisition Date
- during 1951
Other
- Keyword
- Food Preparation; Ceremonial Objects; containers