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Longer Description

Wooden bowl used for grease and berries with formline animal designs carved on the ends. Carved from a single piece of alder wood, the bowl is roughly rectangular shaped. The rim is beveled on the sides, with a convex curvature extending upwards and flattening out on both ends. Animal faces are carved on either end. The mouth is near the base of the bowl, two large ovoid eyes are above the mouth and a cross-hatched section is carved between the eyes. Thin ears are above each eye. At the very top of each end is a square design. The sides of the bowl are plain, as is the inside of the bowl except for a ridge that runs approximately 10.5 mm below the rim. The wood contains grease residue, particularly on the bottom of the bowl. [CAK 14/08/2009]

Description

Wooden bowl used for grease and berries with formline animal designs carved on the ends. [CAK 14/08/2009]

Research Notes

The following information comes from Haida delegates who worked with the museum's collection in September 2009 as part of the project “Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge”:
This bowl was viewed alongside other wood and horn dishes on Wednesday Sept 9, 2009. Kwiaahwah Jones and Candace Weir thought this was a grease bowl. Kwiaahwah added that it smelled like fish and wondered if it was used for dog-fish liver oil. Christian White wondered if this was a bowl for a high-ranking child. He noted that it was done in a different style, and had a different signature [i.e. identifiable features of the artist]. [CAK 27/05/2010]

Primary Documentation

Accession book entry (for 1891.49.94 - .107): 'From Rev. Ch. Harrison, 80 Halton Rd, Canonbury Sq. N. Collection of Haida objects collected by him.... - [One of] 14 Carved wooden grease boxes of various sizes.£45. [Purchase price includes 1891.49.1-110]

No additional information on catalogue cards. [JC 4 9 1996]

Written on object - Box for grease and berries. HAIDA. C. Harrison Colln. Purchased 1891.

Related Documents File - The Haida Project Related Documents File contains video of research sessions and interviews with Haida delegates from September 2009 as part of the project ‘Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge'. It also includes post-visit communications that discuss object provenance. For extensive photographic, video, and textual records documenting the Haida research visit as a whole, including but not limited to preparations of objects for handling, travel logistics, British Museum participation, transcribed notes from research sessions and associated public events held at PRM, see the Haida Project Digital Archive, stored with the Accessions Registers. Original hand-written notes taken during research sessions have been accessioned into the Manuscripts collection, in addition to select other materials. [CAK 02/06/2010]