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Bowl

Arts of the Americas

Nineteenth-century depictions of Native people by European colonizers have long obscured the cultural vibrancy of Indigenous artistic traditions, as exemplified by this delicately carved wood bowl adorned with two human faces in relief. A brass plate covering a large crack on one side shows that the owner repaired it, indicating that the bowl was a treasured item likely passed down from generation to generation. If it was collected in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in the 1830s, it may have traveled with Lenape refugees fleeing north to Wisconsin or Ontario, Canada.
MEDIUM Wood, brass
DATES early 19th century
DIMENSIONS 7 1/4 x 14 x 14 in. (18.4 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 50.67.161
CREDIT LINE Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund
PROVENANCE Prior to 1848, provenance not yet documented; by 1848, acquired by Nathan Sturges Jarvis; 1848, gift of Nathan Sturges Jarvis to the New-York Historical Society, New York, NY; 1937, loaned by the New-York Historical Society to the Brooklyn Museum; 1950, purchased from the New-York Historical Society by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Wooden bowl with schematic faces carved in relief on two vertical, stepped-shaped, rim lugs, which are located opposite each other. The wood grain shows on the bowl along with some dark stains in the interior bottom. The brass is a Native repair. Wooden bowls with images generally were treasured and inherited, passed from generation to generation.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Delaware. Bowl, early 19th century. Wood, brass, 7 1/4 x 14 x 14 in. (18.4 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund, 50.67.161. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.67.161_view01_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 50.67.161_view01_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2020
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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Delaware. <em>Bowl</em>, early 19th century. Wood, brass, 7 1/4 x 14 x 14 in. (18.4 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund, 50.67.161. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.67.161_view01_PS11.jpg)