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Cultural Context

ceremonial; potlatch; status; privileges

Description

Wooden feast dish (parts a-i) consisting of three large, deeply carved bowls (parts a-c) mounted on wheels, and loosely joined by mortise and tenon arrangements, the whole forming a supernatural creature called a sisiutl. The two end bowls (parts a and c) depict the head and body of the serpent with a large protruding snout, carved eyes, ears and bared teeth. The middle bowl (part b) has a carved and painted human-like face with two hands on the joins. Two large ladles (parts d-e) project outwards like tongues, one from each mouth of the sisiutl, held in by their handles. On top of the sisiutl’s two heads are horn-like protrusions (parts f-i). The bowl is painted black, white, green, red and yellow with Northwest Coast stylized designs.

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 privileges. Important feast dishes were named.

Narrative

Charlie James made this for Peter Smith (Sewidanaquilla), a Ławit̓sis chief at Kalugwis, on Turnour Island, in 1907. A document regarding a replica (561/1 a-y) made of this dish states that the original was previously owned by Peter's father, Sewid Smith. This dish privilege was shown at a potlatch hosted by Alex Smith, Peter Smith's nephew. Peter insists that in his time, nothing other than sugar was ever served from it.

Iconographic Meaning

Sisiyutl is a supernatural serpent, often represented with two heads, and is associated with wealth and power. It features three horned faces, deeply carved bowls, and huge ladles as tongues.

Description

Wooden feast dish (parts a-i) consisting of three large, deeply carved bowls (parts a-c) mounted on wheels, and loosely joined by mortise and tenon arrangements, the whole forming a supernatural creature called a sisiutl. The two end bowls (parts a and c) each depict the head and body of the serpent with a large protruding snout, carved eyes, ears and bared teeth. The middle bowl (part b) has a carved and painted human-like face with two hands on the joins. Two large ladles (parts d-e) project outwards like tongues, one from each mouth of the sisiutl, held in by their handles. On top of the sisiutl’s two heads are horn-like protrusions (parts f-i). The bowl is painted with black, white, green, red and yellow design elements.

Narrative

The dish was commissioned in the early 20th century by Sewid Smith, the Ławit̓sis chief at Kalugwis, on Turnour Island. His son, Peter (Sewidanakwila), recalled that it only ever held gifts of sugar, which were distributed by the chief and his family to their guests. This dish privilege was shown at a potlatch hosted by Alex Smith, Peter Smith's nephew.