Tlingit Mountain Sheep Horn Effigy Bowl

Jonathan Holstein, New York
Private New York Collection

This thin and translucent bowl, gracefully carved and engraved, superbly illustrates the Northwest Coast artist's ability to transform the horn of a mountain sheep (rough and battered from wear and combat amongst the rams) into a work of art. Carved with the images of two wolves, this bowl would have held food and valuables and also served as a symbol of wealth and prestige.