Box Description
 

	Boxes are usually taller than they are wide. Many plain and decorated boxes and chests were used for storage of ceremonial clothing, masks, musical instruments, food, other household goods and other ritual materials. They are usually painted, but are occasionally left plain.
	Chests are wider than they are tall. They are usually carved in relief, and are occasionally painted. A few are both carved and painted. This is an elaborately carved and painted chest. Note the inlaid shell highlights on the front and back, the operculae inlaid on the lid edge and the unusual use of blue paint. Pictures of the front and back of this box.
	Both boxes and chests have straight tops that could accommodate a lid. Kerfed (bent wood) containers with undulating rims are often called dishes. They were sometimes used to hold food during feasts. More pictures of dishes.
	If boxes or dishes had lids, sometimes these were made from basketry. More pictures of dishes.
	These dishes are shiny from holding eulachon grease. Eulachon grease is made from a small fish that returns to the coastal rivers of British Columbia each year. The grease is used as a prestige food in feasts. Dishes used to hold grease were often carved but not painted. More pictures of eulachon grease dishes.