A small Northwest Coast bentwood box
Of rectangular form with curved side walls, the ends and each side with gently carved relief panels bare of adornment.
height 5 1/4in, width 9 1/2in
Footnotes:
Provenance
Judge James Wickersham (1857-1939) Collection; an old paper label with inventory number W - 445;
Jack Curtright, Tacoma, WA;
Gene Zema, Seattle, WA, acquired from the above April 14, 1988

Gene K. Zema

Born on September 2, 1926, Gene grew up on a farm in California in the Sacramento Valley. He came to the University of Washington as an engineering student in 1944. He then served in the Navy during World War II, and upon returning to the University of Washington, changed programs and joined the Department of Architecture. He graduated from UW in 1950 with his Bachelor of Architecture degree.

While practicing as an architect, Gene increasingly became interested in regional indigenous art from the Pacific Northwest. He collected many Northwest coastal indigenous pieces and created large murals with Kwakiutl motifs. This interest was one he would pursue the rest of his life, incorporating many of these elements into his projects. Among his many architectural creations was the mid-50s home designed for distinguished scholar and authority on indigenous Pacific Northwest Coast art, Bill Holm. Partial payment for Gene's architectural fee was a totem pole, carved by Holm. In fact, Gene incorporated much of the Seattle area and Pacific Northwest into all aspects of his designs and builds, a monument to the area, history, and people of the region. His collection of Northwest Native American art remained one of his proudest accomplishments.

With sticky residue throughout commensurate with age and use. A few scattered scuffs, scratches, nicks and small losses (the largest two each about an inch long) scattered throughout. Some separation at the corner joint and at areas of base. Dust accumulation on the interior.