Seal or Sea Lion Bowl
Haida artist, Seal or Sea Lion Bowl, 1900/1920, alder with inlaid opercula shells, glass beads, and abalone shells, Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art, no known copyright restrictions, 48.3.247
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
Seal or Sea Lion Bowl
- Artist
- Date
1900/1920
- Medium
alder with inlaid opercula shells, glass beads, and abalone shells
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
4 in x 7 in x 13 in
- Collection Area
Native American Art
- Category
Northwest Coast
Gathering, Preparation, and Serving
- Object Type
bowl
- Cultural Group
Haida
- Credit Line
Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art
- Accession Number
48.3.247
- Copyright
no known copyright restrictions
- Terms
An oil dish beautifully carved of alder to represent either a seal of a sea lion. The eyes and joint of the tail flippers are inlaid with pearl, and operculum is used in the nostrils, teeth, front flipper joints, and around the edge of the dish. It is also decorated with small white trade beads.
Three of Mr. Rasmussen's informants thought the figure represented a sea lion. One of them also believed the dish to be a mortar, in which case its greasiness would indicate that it was used for mashing salmon eggs and berries. Exact place of origin unknown.