Dish Item Number: E 1906.304 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Description
Grease dish with a carved raven head projecting from one end and an eagle or hawk head projecting from the rear. The raven head is reminiscent of raven rattles, and holds a small red block, the sun, in its beak. On the raven' s head a humanoid face rests, with the arms of the humanoid painted in red round the rim of the bowl, and its legs painted below the raven head. The stance of the humanoid, coupled with the raven head is similar to the steps of the raven dance performed at Winter ceremonials The inside of the bowl is painted red with cross hatching. The eagle or hawk projects on a flange from the rear and is reminiscent of a chief' s frontlet in form. The carving is highlighted with red paint. probably reapplied after the original carving. The paint used in the past was bound with salmon roe which didn' t adhere successfully to the oolichan grease soaked wood (G.Crowther).; Good
Context
The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; Grease dishes often have more easily identifiable creatures, carved in the configurative style. I have distinguished them from bowls due to this ease of identification, but must also note that some bowls were also used for grease. It is possible the ease of identification reduced the exchange potential of the object. The grease dishes were used for oolichan and seal grease into which food was dipped during feasts and potlatches. Similar to spoons and bowls the use of objects decorated with crests demarcated potlatches and feasts as events removed from everyday existence.The crests carved on objects were possibly those of the owner representing a tangible connection between the lineage and the economic resources consumed during the feasting (G.Crowther).The Annual Report notes that Professor Bevan's donation to the Museum's Accession Fund provided the money for the purchase of this object.Exhibited: On display in 'Gifts and Discoveries', LKS Gallery between May 25 2012 and February 18 2013.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Received from Professor A.A. Bevan during 1906
Who
- Culture
- Haida
- Received from
- Professor A.A. Bevan
Where
- Holding Institution
- MAA: University of Cambridge
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Acquisition Date
- during 1906
Other
- Keyword
- Food Preparation; Ceremonial Objects; containers