Photo Gallery

Two bears in double profile holding a bowl shaped like an eagle's beak. Alder wood, nacre, carved approximately 1895. (38 cm: SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka

Especially impressive as examples of the art of mask making are the crown-like frontlets of the northern coastal people. A chief would wear one of these decorative headpieces during the dance to welcome his guests. The mask shown depicts what is presumably an eagle, below which is a human face. The mask is made of hardwood, haliotis, sea lion whiskers and eagle down; "fringe" is of ermine skins. (Mask 19 cm, extender 85 ern, SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka

This small bear figurine with its four «potlatch rings» was probably part of a larger headdress at one time. (Figure 18 cm, SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka

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 wooden armor of a Tlingit warrior with the symbol of his clan. (53 cm, SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka

In defending Sitka in 1804 against the attacking Russians, the Tlingit war chief Katlean wore this raven helmet. It is made out of a piece of wood covered with bear skin. The eyes are copper. (28 cm, SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka

A wooden shaman figure with human hair, earrings made of animal teeth and a leather apron. The figure, which represents a shaman singing and shaking rattles, is assumed to have been carved by a Tlingit shaman more than 100 years ago. (30 cm, SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka

Charm of a Chilkat Tlingit shaman. Made of bone, it is carved in the shape of a sea monster with its offspring underneath its belly and a cuttlefish behind it. (13 cm, SJM)
SJM = Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka