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Cultural Context

ceremonial; potlatch; status; privilege

Iconographic Meaning

Kula was a culture hero who taught the tribe to catch whales. One of two bowls (A1785, A1786) made in the shape of the head and tail of whale, in commemoration of the capture of the first whale by the hero Kula. Whale is represented by a large, rounded head, dorsal fin, blow-hole, and bifurcated tail.

History Of Use

Large feast dishes were used primarily to hold food served to guests at winter dance ceremonies and potlatches as well as other important social occasions. They also served as symbols of wealth and prestige. The figures represented on feast dishes were family crests and privileges. Important feast bowls were named.
Commemorating the capture of the first whale by the culture hero, Kula.

Narrative

Similarity of wood, shallow relief carving and paint suggest that this object is a pair with A1785; the two bowls also seem to be a pair in that they represent both the head and the tale of a whale when put together.

Description

Carved wooden, oval shaped dish with a triangular shaped end and a central concavity. Made from a single piece of wood, the bowl is shaped like a killer whale’s body with a tail fin carved in shallow relief with two thin red ovoids for detail. Above the tail is a small, rectangular shaped protrusion, possibly representing a dorsal fin. The opposite end has a red circle in circle design with a triangular shaped image radiating from two sides. The painting design is of an eagle. The sides have faded black and red lines.