Wooden feast dish (parts a-i) consisting of three large, deeply carved bowls (parts a-c), the whole forming a supernatural creature called a sisiutl. The bowls each sit of 2 sets of wheels that are loosely joined by mortise and tenon arrangements. The two end bowls (parts a and c) each depict the head and body of the serpent with a large protruding snout, carved eyes, ears and bared teeth. The middle bowl (part b) has a carved and painted human-like face on the sides, with two hands on the joins. Two large ladles (parts d-e) balance in the mouths of the sisuitl, projecting outward like tongues, held in by their handles. On top of the heads are four horn-like extensions (parts f-i), one at each end and two in the middle section. The bowl is painted with black, white, green, red and yellow design elements. There are holes in the overlapping slotted pieces for dowels (not incl. with dish).

Gift of Alice Moss.

Gift of the Harris Family descendants, Port Orford, Oregon.

In the work of Yurok artist Rick Bartow, human and animal images meld together, suggesting the interconnectedness of nature. In this cedar triptych, a crow and hawk mask human figures. For Bartow, these "transformational images" directly reference the myths he encountered while studying Native American carving techniques and symbolize the natural order and the power of change and redemption.

DISCOVERY ROOM (AMNH - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, NEW YORK, NY, USA, 2001)

CHIEFLY FEASTS: THE ENDURING KWAKIUTL POTLACH. JONAITIS, ALDONA EXHIBITION CATALOG, 1991 THE KWAKIUTL OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. BOAS, FRANZ MEMOIRS, 8, 1909

Large rectangular basket. Walls of basket (part a) angle outward from base to inset rim. Decoration is an imbricated diamonds, large in the centre, small at top, and lines at bottom and corners, in light brown, dark red and black. Rim is decorated in a thin line of imbrication in the same colours. Lid (part b) fits snugly onto basket lip, and is divided into two sides by a thick line of checked imbrication. Each side has several small diamonds in light brown, dark red, and black. Handles were once attached to the basket’s short sides and lid at centre.

Painted bentwood box. Rectangular box is painted on all sides with images of animals and faces in black and red. Two of its corners are reinforced with metal plates attached with nails. The front panel (part b) is detached and shows an oval face at centre, with hands at the sides, possibly wearing a headdress? The face is embellished with metal studs along its perimeter, mouth, and nose. The box is attached to its base by long metal nails. Parts c, d, and e are fragments from the front panel.

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.