Indians of the Northwest Coast
7 results
This replica of an eagle clan hat was specifically made for the museum by a Tlingit artist. It is made of haliotis and human hair. (27 cm diagonal; ASM)ASM = Alaska State Museum, Juneau
The upper end of a talking stick, which was held by a chief on ceremonial occasions; with wolfs head and haliotis inlays. (166 cm, SJM)SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka
The shamans of the Northwest Coast utilized charms in their healing ceremonies. They were usually carved of bone or ivory in the form of a guardian spirit. The charms were either sewn on to clothing or worn around the neck. These little pelicari figurines, attached to one another with a leather thong, form a rare charm which is considered to be quite old. It is made of bone and decorated with haliotis inlays. It was collected from the Tsimshian during the last century. (7 cm; NMM)NMM = National Museum of Man, Ottawa
Another shaman charm, which was collected fully 100 years ago from the Niska on the Nass River. Carved of bone, it represents a salmon. (9 cm, NMM)NMM = National Museum of Man, Ottawa
This drinking vessel is carved out of the tusk of a walrus and decorated with haliotis shell. The partially visible figure is probably an anthropomorphic bear. The cup originated in the same region as the salmon charm described above. (14 cm; NMM)NMM = National Museum of Man, Ottawa
Tlingit war dagger. The blade was ground out of a file, the handle is carved cedar with haliotis inlays. (51 cm; NMM)NMM = National Museum of Man, Ottawa
This thunderbird frontlet, inset with haliotis shell, was the property of a chief of the Tlatlasikoala Kwakiutl, from Hope Island off the northern tip of Vancouver Island. He acquired it from the Bella Coola. (20 cm: MOA)MOA = Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
