#61 • An Antique Chugach Carved Wood Bowl & Spoon

Part of December 2025 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $700.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

This hand-carved antique wooden bowl, with its gently sloping sides, flat base, and carefully grooved interior, reflects the understated yet meticulous design sensibility of the Chugach peoples of southcentral Alaska. The measured proportions and subtle decorative elements demonstrate a balance of utility and refinement characteristic of Chugach craftsmanship. Measuring approximately 22" x 11.5" x 2", the piece stands as a rare survival of a functional object. A wooden spoon accompanies the bowl, measuring approximately 13.5" in length. Wooden artifacts from the Chugach and neighboring communities of the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound are of considerable rarity. The Chugach, a seafaring people whose ancestral territories encompassed the fjords, islands, and coastal inlets of Prince William Sound, developed a rich material tradition adapted to their maritime environment. Despite the centrality of wood in daily life, relatively few examples of wooden vessels dating to the 19th century or earlier have endured, owing to both the fragility of the medium and the harsh northern climate. **This lot is actively in (delayed) transit and will not be available for pickup/shipment until Friday, December 12th. If it becomes available for pickup or shipment before then, we will notify the winning bidder immediately.