Maple burl, brass tacksexpand_more
The Putnam Dana McMillan Fund and The Driscoll Art Accessions Endowment Fundexpand_more 2002.56
Wooden bowls were an integral part of traditional life for the tribal groups of the Plains and Great Lakes/Woodlands regions. Carved by men, they were used primarily for utilitarian and ceremonial purposes; decorated examples were highly regarded. The head on this bowl probably represents Eyah, the spirit of "eating heartily." Carving an image of Eyah on a bowl reinforced the custom of consuming large amounts of offered food.
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know