Bowl

Name/Title

Bowl

Entry/Object ID

L2024.3.67

Description

Birchbark bowl with geometric lines and zigzags

Context

I have never seen a bark container from our area with the type of variable length spruce root rim lashing like this example. The advantage of this is said to not have all the lashing holes in the bark in a line, so that the bark will not separate along the weakened axis of the holes. I have only seen one or two bark containers separate this way, so I doubt that this is an important structural element but seems rather a decorative one. This casts a measure of doubt on the local origin of this artifact. However, given the fact that nobody has studied bark containers from the American Abenaki area, it is important to archive it for future researchers. The sawtooth etched design has affinities to the Cambridge basket, possibly supporting a local origin.

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Abenaki Cultural Conservancy

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1850

Place

State/Province

Vermont

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Bowl

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Vessel

Nomenclature Class

Containers

Nomenclature Category

Category 07: Distribution & Transportation Objects

Dimensions

Height

4 in

Width

8-1/4 in

Depth

9-1/4 in

Material

Birch