This art is highly stylized. While some designs are quite realistic and can easily be identified and representations of people or animals, on many boxes it is more difficult to interpret the designs. Sometimes animals and/or people are shape-shifting into another form, and the design shows attributes of both.

Some anthropologists have suggested that many of the boxes with very abstract designs made in the late 1800's were made by specialists who sold them commercially. As the artist did not know the person who would be using the box, he or she could not paint a 'custom' design using family or personal designs for that specific person. So, generalized designs became common. The buyer could then interpret the design to suit his or her purpose.

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