Decorated cradles like this one were used only by nobility, and the designs were probably valued family crests. This design represents a whale on the long sides and a copper on the back of the headboard. The whole surface is carved in low relief and painted in black, orange, yellow, red, white, and green on a blue ground. (Holm, Crooked Beak of Heaven, 1972)

Worn by participants in the Tseyka, these neck ring ornaments in the Burke Museum collection consist of a set of three carved and painted wooden plaques, representing the tail and flippers of a whale. There may have been a fourth piece representing the whale's head in the set. They were probably sewn to a rope-like ring of dyed cedar bark, perhaps 18 cm in diameter, which could be conceived of as the body of the whale. The bifurcate tail with a humanoid face for the joint hangs down the back of the wearer, while the two similarly decorated flippers stand out to the sides of the chest. (Holm, Crooked Beak of Heaven, 1972)

Collected from Willie Seaweed and made by him for his wife, who owned the prerogative, this "Calling Down" mouth shows the workmanship associated with the work of that artist. The "mouth" was held in the teeth of the owner. It was called heygukhsti and gave the owner the privilege of publicly "calling down" or critically derogating people. No offense could be taken at these comments. (Holm, Crooked Beak of Heaven, 1972)

The copper theme is a favorite with Kwakwaka'wakw artists. Representations of coppers are used as grave monuments, housefront paintings, and other objects, including button blankets. The button blanket is the traditional ceremonial blanket of the Kwakwaka'wakw. The general form is fairly uniform, with variations in the figures represented and in the details of the border designs. Most have as foundation a dark blue blanket, but green is not uncommon. All the materials in button blankets are products of trade. (Holm, Crooked Beak of Heaven, 1972)

The cloth is wool, blue, and red. The cloth is cotton. The cloth is cotton and white. The felt is red. The button is plastic. The sequin is red, green, and white. The bead is blue. The bead is white. The thread is white.

This forehead mask represents Kolus, a white down-covered thunderbird. It was carved by Willie Seaweed for his son, Joe, to use during the Great Dance of the Tlasula. Joe Seaweed received the privilege of performing this masked dance from his mother, Alice, who had it as part of her dowry.

The cedar bark is natural and black.

The cedar bark is natural and red.