
Carved and painted by Captain Richard Carpenter of the Qvuqvayaitxv tribe. Captain Carpenter is one of the most well respected carvers of the 19th century. He was born in 1841 in the village of Heiltsuk (part of Bella Bella). There are many examples of his bentwood boxes but this is the only known example of a cradle. It is rare and in very good condition.
Created from boards of cedar with wo rockers on the bottom. The sides are painted with red and black pigment.
An accompanying label states that this cradle was exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, with an infant inside.
Provenance:
Exhibited: World's Fair (World's Columbian Exposition), Chicago, 1893
Ex Collection: Cabin Crafts, Vancouver, B.C.
Ex Collection: Cadwadaller Collection (purchased 1963)
Ex Collection: First People's Museum of the American Indian and Eskimo