THE THOMPSON INDIANS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. TEIT, JAMES MEMOIRS, 2, 1900

OBJECTS OF EXCHANGE: SOCIAL AND MATERIAL TRANSFORMATION ON THE LATE NINETEENTH-CENTURY NORTHWEST COAST. GLASS, AARON EXHIBITION CATALOG, 2011, Publisher: BARD GRADUATE CENTER

Unpainted rectangular bentwood chest or box is attached to a thick base that protrudes out slightly from the walls at an angle. It is reinforced with angled wooden slats on the interior bottom edges. Two thin fibre ropes hang from the front centre panel. Lid (part b) is carved from a single piece of wood with an underside lip that fits into the box. Underside is slightly concave.

Wood carving of a figure and birds. Figure has a large oval head, painted white, with small, inset shells for eyes, a long nose with flared nostrils, and small mouth. Black circles and half circles decorate the face. The body is painted black, and has thin twisted rope at neck, waist and wrists. Arms hang at sides with hands flat against thighs. Feet are planted on the head of a large face which is painted similar to the figure’s, also with shell eyes, and upward curving horns. Two small birds perch on the temples. Tall birds span the carving from top to bottom, flanking the figure, beaks touching the top of its head. They are decorated with dark brown stripes. Small black and orange wings are folded on their backs. The back of the carving shows the back of the figure and bottom face, painted solid brown.