Native American, Pacific Northwest, Tlingit, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A red cedar Tlingit bentwood lidded box, known as a lakht. The lid is decorated with a red 'checkerboard-like' pattern comprised of triangles surrounding an offset square or diamond shape; the exterior of the box is simply adorned with vertical red striations at the corners; the interior of the box is plain. Such boxes are understood as a container of souls and wealth, as according to the Canadian Museum of Cultures, "The peoples of the west coast consider the world to be like a huge box, which contains all the souls of the universe as either humans or animals." Size: 13" L x 13" W x 15" H (33 cm x 33 cm x 38.1 cm)

An accompanying written description reads in part, "Bentwood boxes, also called 'bent-corner' or 'kerfed' boxes, are made by grooving, steaming, and bending a plank of yellow or red cedar for the sides. The board is adzed and smoothed to the desired thickness, then grooved with a knife into three, equidistant cuts (kerfs) at right angles to the plank. It is then steamed, and as the wood softens, it is bent at the grooves to make a four-sided box. With three corners bent at right angles, the fourth corner is tied, pegged, or, more recently, glued. Also of cedar, the bottom is fitted tightly to the box, and the top remains loose.

Often, such boxes are decorated with shallow, relief carvings or paintings according to the West Coast First Nation traditions. Sometimes, there are inlays of shell or metal. The lids are usually undecorated. The use of elaborate bentwood boxes was to hold valued possessions, from costly object to ceremonial articles. The plainer boxes held ordinary objects. The most decorated boxes often were given names, and were heirlooms, representing a family's history."

Similar examples exist in the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle, Washington; the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec; the Canadian Museum of Cultures.

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#124861

Surface wear with abraded areas and scratches commensurate with age and use. Small hole through top of lid. Inactive insect damage to bottom. Number "5" written in black on one side. Overall good condition with a nice age patina.