How did Northwest Coast artists decorate everyday objects?

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Hohokam pottery — Native American art Pottery created by the Hohokam people, made of buff clay and painted with red designs.

Northwest Coast artists were renowned for their commitment to symmetry, neatness, and elaborate embellishment, ensuring that many everyday items were decorated with significant artistic skill.1

Carving and Painting

Woodworking was central to the region's visual arts. Artists utilized stone tools—such as adzes, chisels, and knives—to carve wooden objects, while sharkskin served as a tool for sanding and polishing.1

Northern Province: Artists emphasized low-relief carving accented by painting, often featuring hereditary clan crests. Styles varied, with Tsimshian artists frequently using "filler" elements like eye designs to leave no open space, while Haida art tended toward massive, balanced forms.1
Wakashan Province: Art was typically bold and sculptural. Some items, such as whalebone clubs, featured simple geometric designs.1
Southern Regions: In areas like northwestern California, decoration often focused on geometric patterns incised into shells or elkhorn objects.1

Weaving and Ornamentation

Beyond carving, weaving was highly developed. Artists created basketry and robes using cedar bark, spruce roots, and mountain goat wool. Chilkat blankets, for example, featured complex crest representations in black, white, yellow, and blue.1