Sea Lion Feast Bowl

CultureKwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl)
Titles
  • Sea Lion Feast Bowl
Date1850–1875
PlaceCanada
MediumWood and paint
DimensionsOverall: 15 1/2 × 53 1/2 × 17 in. (39.4 × 135.9 × 43.2 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Accessions Endowment Fund
Object number2009.1310
Non exposé

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Object Type
Description

The Kwakiutl culture of the Northwest Coast of North America was well known for its woodworking tradition. Large feast bowls were frequently carved in the shapes of animals. This bowl represents a fierce sea lion with an eagle head as its tail.

The sea lion and eagle were important animal ancestors. As such, they appeared frequently on totem poles and artworks. The powerful sea lion was respected yet hunted. It was valuable for its thick, warm pelt and intestines that were used for bow strings, and as an oil and food source.

Feast bowls were used by the Kwakiutl at potlatches, or gift-giving festivals. Potlatches included dances, performances, a gift exchange, and feasting. The skill of carvers could raise ordinary objects to the status of art. This bowl is such a work.


Provenance[Earl Stendahl Gallery, Beverly Hills, late 1940s–early 1950s]; purchased by John Howard and Janette Howard, Palos Verdes, CA, by at least 1955 [1]; sold through [Shango Galleries, Dallas], 2009; purchased by MFAH, 2009.

[1] Better Homes & Gardens (1955)

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

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