Sioux Wood Effigy Bowl

of shallow flaring form, finely carved with pairs of opposed raised panels, possibly representing animal ears, one decorated with brass tacks and a series of drilled holes, the other, pierced twice and inserted with a hide strap, an encircling linear groove on the exterior beneath the rim; rich patina overall.

Acquired in 1855 by Asa Wilder Daniels

Mrs. J.W. Daniels

Florence Augusta Amundson Daniels

By descent to present owner

Very good original condition with typical wear for its age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Asa Wilder Daniels was born in 1829 in Stratford, Connecticut  and moved to Minnesota in 1853 to become the resident medical officer at the lower Sioux Agency. He held the post until 1861 when he moved to St. Peter Minnesota. He reportedly was given the bowl, full of food, at a ceremony in which he participated in 1855.

For a discussion of wood bowls from the Plains, see Ewers 1986, pp. 167: "It was Sioux custom for each person to furnish his own bowl for a ceremony at which food was served. The very early French explorers, Pierre Radisson and Sieur des Grosseilliers, must have been familiar with that custom when they first met the Sioux in 1660 and were invited to  a feast for they reported that they went back to their baggage to get their wooden bowls."

pp. 169:

All evidence from the literature and the museum collections indicate that although most if not all Plains Indian tribes made and used wooden bowls and spoons, the fashioning and use of bowls with effigies carved on them was restricted to the Siouan tribes and the Pawnee. Among those tribes, their fine wooden bowls tended to be handed down from generation to generation as heirlooms, so that one cannot judge the age of a bowl by the time of its collection, even if the date of the latter is well known."