Image

Woven tan and brown onion shaped bowl with geometric dark brown patterning and feather-like tassels emerging from the top edge of the bowl.
Woven tan and brown onion shaped bowl with geometric dark brown patterning and feather-like tassels emerging from the top edge of the bowl.
Woven tan and brown onion shaped bowl with geometric dark brown patterning and feather-like tassels emerging from the top edge of the bowl.
Woven tan and brown onion shaped bowl with geometric dark brown patterning and feather-like tassels emerging from the top edge of the bowl.
Woven tan and brown onion shaped bowl with geometric dark brown patterning and feather-like tassels emerging from the top edge of the bowl.
Woven tan and brown onion shaped bowl with geometric dark brown patterning and feather-like tassels emerging from the top edge of the bowl.
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Unknown Maker, Pomo

Bowl

Description

Maker

Unknown Maker, Pomo

Culture

Pomo, Native North American

Title

Bowl

Year

early 1900s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

feather, plant fiber

Dimensions

7.9 cm (3 1/8 inches) (height)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Gustav Radeke

Object Number

31.152

Type

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Being and Believing in the Natural World
Perspectives from the Ancient Mediterranean, Asia, and Indigenous North America
Oct 22, 2022 – Jun 04, 2023

Label copy

Pomo people traditionally hunted quail for sustenance in their homelands of northern California, often weaving their feathers into their tightly woven baskets. Adorned with beadwork, quillwork, tin cones, and dyed chicken feathers, the Inunaina case at right stored an awl, a pointed tool used for making clothing and moccasins. Indigenous people of North America have used wild bird feathers for adornment for thousands of years. Since chickens were introduced to tribal communities as food, their feathers have also been utilized.

Across centuries, the Chinese have prized kingfisher feathers for their brilliant colors, using them to embellish hairpins, earrings, and headdresses (at left) for aristocratic women. The demand for the iridescent feathers however, led to a great depletion of these birds.

-SB/WC

Blankets and Baskets
Weavings from the American West
Jul 02, 2004 – Oct 10, 2004

Label copy

The repeating geometric design and feather decoration of this basket is typically Pomo. Gift baskets such as this one were ritually exchanged on special occasions.

Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Gustav Radeke 31.152

Use & Feedback

Image use

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This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Pomo
Bowl, early 1900s
Willow, sedge root, dyed bulrush or fern root, California Quail topknot feathers; three-rod coiled
7.9 cm (3 1/8 inches) (height)
Gift of the Estate of Mrs. Gustav Radeke 31.152

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