Grand Hall tour
Bentwood boxes
Bentwood boxes are on display inside some of the
houses, in front of certain poles
and in the exhibit Tsimshian Prehistory. Bentwood boxes were made
in all sizes, and were
used to store food, clothing and many household and ceremonial items.
Some were painted and others were elaborately carved, but the majority
were left undecorated. Contemporary artists have revived the art of
making bentwood boxes.
These boxes demonstrate the remarkable carpentry of the West Coast people. The sides were made from a single plank of cedar; it was bevelled or kerfed to allow the four sides to be bent into a box shape. After careful shaping of the plank, it was steamed, bent and sewn together using cedar roots or wooden pegs. The base was prepared so that the edges fitted snugly into the bottom, creating a watertight box. A lid was then added.
(B) box in process of being bent
(C) sides lashed and sewn together
(D) box, top and bottom
(E) completed bentwood boxes
(A) tool for bending the wood
(illustration by Irvine Scalplock)
This bentwood box was made by the Bella Bella and later acquired (probably
through trade) by the Haida. The carved and painted designs show Bear and
Whale.
Credits:
