At first glance, this small, unassuming bowl appears to be a simple object, however, its maker was a highly skilled craftsperson. Upon picking it up, the first thing one notices is how lightweight it is and a distinct bulge on the sides of the bowl. The undulating curvature of the ends and sides has a natural and smooth flow, while the lip is carved out on the underside - a technique that sheds weight from the bowl.

Bill McLennan noted that this bowl is finely made and the textured surface gives it the impression of a woven basket. The carefully etched surface was possibly scored using beaver teeth, an ingenious way to add texture to an otherwise unadorned surface.

For the biography on Gary Bell in PDF format, please click here.

To view the full catalogue for The Gary Bell Collection: Masterworks of Northwest Coast Art, please click here.