Headdress

Item number 1060/61 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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Description

Headdress consisting of concentric rings of hide and a circle of hide at the top of the crown, all joined by strands of beadwork in dark red, dark blue, medium blue, white, and light green with a fringe at the rim of small blue and white beads as well as larger purple beads. There are four short beaded strands also attached at the rim as well as two long strands of larger blue and green beads alternating with lengths of small white beads and intersperced with light pink beads as well as large painted wooden(?) beads in green and red. Two brass hooks are attached to a hide loop at the rim.

History Of Use

This was used as a dance headdress, according to documentation from the Sisters of Saint Ann Museum.

Narrative

The documentation from the Sisters of Saint Ann Museum says this was acquired by "Holy Cross Mission" in 1912. Some of the beads may be Prosser beads, which were traded into Alaska through Russian trade networks. The four long strands of hanging beads appear to be a later addition to the headdress.

Item History

Made in Alaska, USA before 1912
Owned by Sisters of Saint Ann Museum
Owned by B.C. Provincial Museum before September 6, 1985
Received from B.C. Provincial Museum (Transferring institution) on September 6, 1985