Dance Apron Item Number: 1767/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Dark blue dance apron with many flattened copper pieces and mountain goat hooves hanging from the front. Two rows of skin fringe; the first is cut into 1/2 to 1 1/2 cm wide strips with a hoof sew onto the end of each one; the second has 1/2 cm wide strips with flattened copper on each end. Hem edge also has a strip of red cotton sewn over it. The green, red and beige striped apron tie is in one piece, basted along the front edge near the top edge and extending beyond the apron. Inside is lined with cotton over the front section and there is a safety pin at the side.

History Of Use

Moore told the collector the apron was used in ceremonial dances when only one chief danced at a time, and that only chiefs could wear such an apron.

Narrative

John H. Moore told the collector in 1956 that the apron was at least a century old, and that it was passed down to him from his maternal grandfather, through his mother. He said it belonged to a chief, possibly his great-grandfather, a chief of the Wolf Clan (Lakh Ghibu) on the Nass River.

Item History

What

Name
Dance Apron
Identification Number
1767/3
Type of Item
apron
Material
wool fibre, mountain goat hoof, metal, copper metal and cotton fibre
Overall
height 73.0 cm, width 145.0 cm

Who

Culture
Nisga'a
Previous Owner
Dana Mullen, John H. Moore and Vernon W. Mullen
Received from
Vernon W. Mullen (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada
Collected in
Kincolith, British Columbia, Canada and Gingolx, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
during 1850
Collection Date
during 1956
Ownership Date
before 1956 and between 1956 and September 28, 1998
Acquisition Date
on September 28, 1998

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
1767/0003