Chilkat Blanket Item Number: 30.1443 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
This blanket is very early and possibly Tshimshin in origin. Ceremonial blanket with black, blue, yellow and white design probably the "Diving Whale." The head of the whale with his nostrils is at the bottom, the center face is his body with his 'spirit' inside it, the tail flukes are spread out on lower section also with eyes inside. The front flukes flank the head.The side panels (not shown in photograph) are probably a young raven. Although very worn this is a very finely woven, old robe with no commercial elements in it. There is an artist signature in the weaving by the side fringe. This is possibly the same robe depicted in G.T Emmons, "The Chilkat Blanket," AMNH Memoirs, Vo. 111. part 1V, fig. 568B. Source for design and weaving information, Cheryl Samuels, "The Chilkat Blanket," Pacific Search Press, Seattle, 1982. See also her dedication page where signature of weaver is given , appears to be the same as this blanket.
Credit Line
Bequest of Dr. James S. Waterman
Item History
- Made between 1700 and 1799
What
- Name
- Chilkat Blanket
- Identification Number
- 30.1443
- Type of Item
- chilkat blanket
- Material
- mountain goat wool, cedar bark, caribou ?, whale sinew ? and dye
- Overall
- length 53.9375 in, width 69.125 in
Who
- Culture
- Tlingit
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1700 and 1799
Other
- Classification
- Clothing