Box Item Number: E 1910.38 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Description
Square kerfed cedar storage box with grooved side panels and a separate lid which has a lip. The one side joint has been pegged closed. Inside the box a twine handle has been attached through holes in the sides. This handle originally was on the outside and secured the lid in position. The base which also has a slight lip was attached using wooden pegs. The box has seen considerable use and is now somewhat fragile. On the front a label has been afixed which reads H.Stadthagen, The Indian trader, 79 Johnson Street, Victoria, B.C. Good
Context
The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; The kerfed storage boxes are characteristic of the Northwest Coast and exhibit a very high degree of technical prowess. The boxes were made from one sheet of wood which had grooves cut where the corners were later made when the sheet was steamed into a square. The open side was either sewn together with Spruce root or pegged with wooden pegs. The lids were usually removable, while the bases were pegged onto the sides. The undecorated storage boxes were used as domestic items for everyday use, such as for storing food and berries. Some were watertight and were used for cooking, i.e. dropping heated rocks into the water to boil the contents. This is in contrast to the decorated, carved and/or painted boxes which were used in a ceremonial context (G.Crowther).; Collected by: Glaisher.Dr.J.W.L in ?1907
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Received from Dr. J.W.L. Glaisher
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Received from
- Dr. J.W.L. Glaisher
Where
- Holding Institution
- MAA: University of Cambridge
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
Other
- Keyword
- Containers; Food Preparation