Dancing Skirt And Leggings With Puffin Beaks & Chinese Coins

Item number E88790-0 from the National Museum of Natural History.

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Notes

From card: "4/4/68 - includes pair of leggings, only a few coins remain on skirt, GP A-B-C. Leggings have red wool applique and shell buttons. Skirt [a.k.a. apron] decorated with puffin beaks and coins. Collector's tag: "Dancing skirt and leggings. Ancient work was trimmed when new with puffin beaks and Chinese copper coins. Procured at Massett [Masset] of Scana cha tas, a chief whose father formerly owned and wore the dress in ceremonials. Chinese copper coins were brought from Canton by traders 100 years ago and were very common among the coast tribes who trimmed their blankets with them."The handwritten James G. Swan tag quoted on the card above is still with the artifacts as of 2010. In addition to the information quoted above, it lists the objects as Swan original No. 70 and indicates a collection date of July 7th, 1883, at a cost of $1.25.