Dish Item Number: 1978.8 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Grease dish carved into the shape of a sea creature with a toothy mouth, fin and a tail. On the head and tail of this creature are two humanoids whose arms hold the the creature' s fins. the grease dish is still exuding the oolichan grease it once held.; Good
In 1994 Dr George MacDonald, of the Canadian Museum of Civilisation, suggested that the dish came from the Haida. The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; 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).; Exhibited: CUMAA old Anthropological displays, Case 30, dismantled 19081986. CUMAA new Anthropology displays July 1990-.; Collected by: ?Newall.R.S