Native American, Pacific Northwest, ca. mid-20th century CE. A fascinating, hand-carved bowl in the form of a zoomorph displaying an ovoid interior basin and flat base. The curious vessel features the head of an animal on one end with a long, raised snout, bared teeth, an arched brow, sunken cheeks incised with a lattice motif, and generously lidded, diamond-shaped eyes with inlaid nacre shell pupils. Alternatively, the sides of the vessel are each sculpted with the face of an owl, while the other end presents a pair of curving openwork wings that serve as a handle. The handle is additionally adorned with 3 rows of petite inlaid shells. Grease bowls would have been the treasured belonging of an individual, made to be used on a daily basis to hold oil rendered from fish or seal blubber and used to garnish food like dried meat or fish. The decoration on this example indicates that it was commissioned from an artist rather than being just a utilitarian object. Size: 8.5" L x 4.5" W x 2.625" H (21.6 cm x 11.4 cm x 6.7 cm)
Provenance: private Littleton, Colorado, USA collection, acquired between 1959 to 1962
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#165861
Condition
Expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age and use. Missing 1 inlaid shell on wing. Otherwise, excellent with lovely patina.