hax̣ʷi‘dukš (Box)

Storage boxes in this form have a long tradition on the Northwest Coast, certainly pre-dating contact with white men. Modern examples continue to be functional.

storage

Wolves were in a special category, possessing great supernatural powers.

Part (a) Kerfed box, solid base. Sides formed of single plank; three kerfed corners are recessed on the exterior surface to a depth of 0.05 cm. for 2 cm on either side of the corner. Fourth corner rabbeted and pegged; all pegged to base. At each corner, stretching from top to bottom, with its vertical centre axis coincident with the corner, a humanoid figure painted in black and red occurs. Figure has a humanoid head; arms in raised position; body formed of two wolves in profile upright on haunches, back to back. All four figures are nearly identical. Two adjacent figures are identical; other two are identical to one another but vary in colour placement from the first two. Part (b) West coast style solid lid, with outward flaring corners, each inlaid with abalone shell on either side, 8 pieces in all; exterior surfaces painted red and black; interior surfaces broadly adzed.