Box

Item number 1924.757 B from the MAA: University of Cambridge.

Public

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Data
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Description

Two fragments of a bent box coffin in a very delapidated condition, the outer surfaces are weathered and warped. The side edges show the method of kerfering, i.e. steaming and stitching a box together.; 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. Furthermore boxes were also used as coffins which these fragments have been recorded as having been (G.Crowther).; Collected by: McIlwraith.T.F in 1924