Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, Tlingit, ca. late 20th to 21st century CE. Carved "LAVALLE" on the base. This is a gorgeous hand-carved wooden potlatch bowl known as a House Dish carved as crouching bear or wolf by the artist Rich LaValle. The back is hollowed out to make a deep basin, the thick rim is inlaid with cowrie shells. The entire animal, crouching on folded legs with the head upraised, is carved from a single piece of cedar! The facial features are incised then painted in blue, red, and black. Large feasting bowls were used for food served to guests during ceremonies and potlatches, and the animal symbolized the clan. A potlatch was a celebration that corresponded with a change in social status, such as a marriage, birth, death, or coming of age and consisted of a feast, singing, and dances; this served as a way for families to demonstrate their wealth and distribute gifts. Size: 23" L x 5.8" W x 6.5" H (58.4 cm x 14.7 cm x 16.5 cm)

Rich LaValle has been a Tlingit wood carver since 2000, though he was not born into the Tlingit culture. He began weaving Pacific Northwest style textiles before beginning his craft as a wood-turner upon moving with his wife to Portland, Oregon, and was approached directly by members of the Tlingit tribe to carve Tlingit masks. Rich and his wife were then formally adopted into the Tlingit tribe in the year 2000. His Tlingit name is "Kut Daa Jaa Gu," and his wife's Tlingit name is "Shawat Googh." Rich is known throughout the Pacific Northwest Coast for his fine craftsmanship of traditional Tlingit face masks, rattles, hat fronts, and textiles.

Provenance: private Alamo collection, Alamo, California, USA, before 2000

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#167802

Intact and good condition. One cowrie shell has a loss to the shell and has been infilled with white plaster material. Abrasions and chips on the head and discoloration and some stains. Stable pressure fissures. Brightly painted. Clearly signed on the base.