Chilkat Pattern Board Item Number: A8326 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Distributive design painted in black on natural wood. The left side, from the top to the bottom, has the following: three circles in a rectangle each; an eye form in an ovoid; a circle in a rectangle with a pair of circles in a split u each; an ovoid in an ovoid with a profile face facing to the right side; and three circles in a rectangle each. The right side, from the top to the bottom, has the following: an eye form in an ovoid with a pair of circles in a rectangle each; an eye form in an ovoid with a pair of circles in a rectangle each above and a front facing face with an oval in a box in between; an eye form in an ovoid with a pair of eyes and a pair of circles in a rectangle each below; and a pair of circles in a split u form each with a front facing face.
History Of Use
The design for a chilkat style robe is first painted onto a pattern board, then precisely copied in weaving. The style operates within strict conventions, but also permits subtle individual variations and originality. Full-sized renderings of the designs are painted on the wood board, but because the blanket designs are symmetrical, only one half needs to be painted. (For a newer example, see 3779/1.) A pattern board occasionally had different designs, one on each side. E.g., painters might copy an existing pattern board, changing small details.
Cultural Context
textiles; weaving
Item History
- Made in North America
- Owned by Walter C. Koerner before November 1962
- Received from Walter C. Koerner (Donor) during November 1962
What
- Name
- Chilkat Pattern Board
- Identification Number
- A8326
- Type of Item
- pattern board
- Material
- cedar wood and paint
- Manufacturing Technique
- adzed, nailed and painted
- Overall
- height 57.2 cm, width 86.4 cm, depth 5.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tlingit
- Previous Owner
- Walter C. Koerner
- Received from
- Walter C. Koerner (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- North America
When
- Ownership Date
- before November 1962
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1962
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 42
- Accession Number
- 0090/0004