Feast Dish

Item number A6433 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Description

Wooden feast dish carved in the shape of an eagle with a central, oval shaped concavity. The bird has its head painted white, green and yellow and is turned inward with its beak hanging over the bowl; its feet grip the opposite end. Below the feet are three vertical lines of white tail feathers detailed with ovoids and u-forms. The head is a separate piece attached with nails. The outer sides are carved with a wing consisting of three horizontal feather designs of black, yellow, green and orange ovoids, s-shapes, u-forms and split u’s. The body of the eagle is black.

History Of Use

Large feast dishes were used primarily to hold food served to guests at winter dance ceremonies and potlatches, as well as on other important social occasions. They also were symbols of wealth and prestige. The figures represented on feast dishes were family crests and important feast dishes were named.