This shallow ovate platter features raised, sharply angled ends that suggest a boat-like appearance. The design relief-carved within crosses the interior and almost fills it completely, leaving only small areas of exposed, cross-hatched background that help to define the silhouette of the creature depicted. The creature’s toothy mouth lies close to the centre of the vessel, just below the deeply relief-carved eyes. On either side of the mouth, a u-shaped cheek design can be seen, filling out the lower corners of the head. Small ovoids form the shoulder joints of the creature, which appears to be a sea bear. The simple forearms, bent at the elbows, connect to large, clawed forefeet, the ends of which taper down to connect with the upturned, whale-like tail of this fearsome aquatic mammal.

Steven C. Brown