Mat Item Number: Z 35116 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
An irregular shaped mat of cedar bark with a fringe on one end and several decorative bands woven round the edge and in three bands down the central portion of the square- shaped section. The mat is composed of a double layer of woven cedar bark,and has a large square section with two rectangular panels extending from the upper and lower edges with a gap in between. The rectangular panels are open at both sides and could form loops, they not attached to the square section but are an integralpart of weave.; Good
In 1994 Dr George MacDonald, of the Canadian Museum of Civilisation, suggested that the object was a cape. The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; This piece of flat woven cedar bark could either be some kind of matting, or could have been worn possibly draped over the shoulders. Beth Carter of The Glenbow Museum, Calgary, suggested this could be made in the form of a bandolier bag that were used in the interior regions and hung round a horses neck and across its chest area. This suggestion is based on the shape of the object (G.Crowther).