Feast Dish
Item number A6937 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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Description
Long, wooden feast dish carved in the shape of an animal with a deep, oval shaped bowl in the middle. The tail is paddle shaped and curves downward to join the body; it’s legs are carved in relief against the body, the feet support the bowl. A human face with a downturned mouth is painted on the tail followed by a repeating pattern of red, white and green u-forms. The exterior rim of the dish is painted with a continuous pattern of alternating green and blue ovoids on a white band. Painted on each shoulder is a face in profile. Has been badly broken, and repaired.
History Of Use
Feast dishes were used primarily to hold food served to guests at important social occasions. Great “house dishes” could hold immense quantities of food. They also held their own names and histories, and were among the most valued privileges passed on through marriage and inheritance.
Narrative
Letter in file says it belonged to the seller's wife's great-grandfather.
Cultural Context
ceremonial; potlatch; status; privileges
Iconographic Meaning
Represents Beaver, Tsa-ow.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada during 1872
- Collected in Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Chief Edward Walkus before July 7, 1953
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Edward Walkus (Seller) on July 7, 1953
What
- Name
- Feast Dish
- Identification Number
- A6937
- Type of Item
- dish
- Material
- paint and red cedar wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- hollowed, carved and painted
- Overall
- height 53.6 cm, width 54.8 cm, depth 208.1 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Smith Inlet, British Columbia, Canada and Takus, British Columbia, Canada
Who
- Culture
- Kwakwaka'wakw
- Previous Owner
- Chief Edward Walkus
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and Chief Edward Walkus (Seller)
When
- Creation Date
- during 1872
- Ownership Date
- before July 7, 1953
- Acquisition Date
- on July 7, 1953
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1974/0002
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