Skip to main content

Bowl

about 1880–90
Medium/TechniqueCarved wood with ivory and abalone inlay and glass beads
DimensionsHeight x width: 3 1/2 x 14 x 4 1/2 in. (8.9 x 35.6 x 11.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Hy and Shirley Zaret
Accession number2011.1692
On View
Not on view
Collections
InscriptionsPrincipal inscription in ink in caps on bottom: NORTHWEST COAST ([torn] ka[?]) / HAIDA OR KWAKIUTL / POTLATCH BOWL / BEAVER / ABALONE EYES / IVORY TEETH AND / BACK DECORATION / INSET WITH WHITE / TRADE BEADS / ABOUT 1880-1890 / [Signed] Lee Parner 1973" In ink, added to above text on right: "COLLECTED / 1908-1909 / SITKA" Also in script on paper label on bottom: "Bowls made by chief of tribe--given / away to people invited to special / feast to show off host's wealth Prob. / contained food. Chief also threw / [gap created by other inscription] these things canoes etc. on / fire to show off wealth." Paper form printed in lower right: "Memo"
ProvenanceAbout 1908/1909, acquired by an unknown party in Sitka, Alaska [see note]. 1973, with Lee Parner [see note]. 1999, property of a Midwest private collection; November 30, 1999, anonymous (Midwest private collection) sale (sale no. 7398), Sotheby's, New York, lot 426, to Hy Zaret (b. 1907 – d. 2007) Westport, CT; 2007, by inheritance to Shirley Zaret, Boston; 2011, gift of Shirley Zaret to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 21, 2011)

NOTE: According to a label affixed to bottom of bowl.
Spiral Vessel
John Jordan
1999
Walking stick
about 1704
Cane
about 1880–1900
Bowl
Bob Stocksdale
1980
Vessel
Robert M. Hamada
1990
Bowl
Robert M. Hamada
1990
Chest
18th century
Bowl
Lawrence "Neil" Weston
1987