FROM CARD: "#168163 - ILLUS. IN USNM AR, 1894; FIG. 140; P.452 ALSO IN REPT, 1902; FIG. 140; P. 411."Similar to E168157 (see remarks for that object), this Taku Tlingit object may originate with the Taku Tlingit of the Upper Taku River area of British Columbia.

From card: "Wood painted red, white and black. Modern carving. According to Norman Tait, Nishga artist, "this is a Tsimshian mask, probably carved on the Skeena River, used for dancing (indicated by black stripe across the face). Carved of alder wood, well done, but quickly done, probably in preparation for a winter dance." (10/21/85). This mask has two catalog numbers: 274242 and 360363. W. Sturtevant requested that the 274242 number be used and the 360363 number be "retired", with a blank card in the file referring to 274242. (Card and ledger books changed by S. Crawford, 10/25/85)." LEDGER AND CATALOG CARD SAY SENT TO VICTOR J. EVANS, WASHINGTON, D.C. AS AN EXCHANGE JUNE 23, 1920.As indicated on the catalogue card, this mask was exchanged with Victor J. Evans in 1920. In 1931, Evans' collection came to the Smithsonian as a bequest, Accession number 113605, and this mask was part of that collection. The mask was given Catalogue # 360363 in the Evans collection. In 1985, at the request of curator Dr. William Sturtevant, the mask was returned to its original catalogue number of 274242.This object is on loan to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, from 2010 through 2027.Source of the information below: Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Alaska Native Collections: Sharing Knowledge website, by Aron Crowell, entry on this artifact http://alaska.si.edu/record.asp?id=675, retrieved 4-24-2012: Mask, Tsimshian, probably Skeena River, British Columbia, Canada. Masks were among the most important objects representing a chief's halaayt (spirit powers). Each portrayed a different guardian spirit in bird, animal, or human form, and each had a unique name and song. Nisga'a artist Norman Tait commented that this example was probably from a Skeena River village and that the black band across the eyes confirmed that it was used for dancing. He thought it was well carved but probably quickly made for a winter ceremony. "If you could call any mask classical Tsimshian, this one has all the features ... these cheekbones, the way the nose is sculpted, the narrow lips, and the way the eyes look down and slightly to the sides. When you dance you're turning from side to side, and that helps you to see where you are going." - David Boxley (Tsimshian), 2009

Florence Sheakley, Ruth Demmert, and Virginia Oliver made the following comments during the Tlingit Recovering Voices Community Research Visit, March 13-March 24, 2017. This object looks like it has a Raven design. It could have had sea lion whiskers or bird feathers coming from the top for decoration.

FROM CARD: "TWO BLADED DAGGER. MADE OF IRON, ONE BLADE LONG AND TAPERING, THE OTHER SHORT. THE UPPER OR OUTER SIDE OF EACH BLADE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE FLAT SURFACES, AND IN HIGHLY-FINISHED EXAMPLES THE MIDDLE SURFACE IS RAISED SLIGHTLY. GRIP BETWEEN THE BLADES NARROWED AND WRAPPED WITH CLOTH OR LEATHER. HAS NOTCHES CUT INTO THE BLADES AND ALSO RIVETS OF BRASS SET IN. ILLUS. IN PROCEEDINGS, USNM, VOL. 60, ART. 9; P1. 34, NO. 9; P. 48. LOANED TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART OCTOBER 20, 1972. RETURNED 5-29-73. ILLUS. IN THE FAR NORTH CATALOG, NAT. GALL. OF ART, 1973, P. 261. ILLUS.: HNDBK. N. AMER. IND., VOL. 7, NORTHWEST COAST, FIG. 12 LEFT, PG. 217."Florence Sheakley and Ruth Demmert, both elders, made the following comments during the Tlingit Recovering Voices Community Research Visit, March 13-March 24, 2017. These knives feature a Raven crest, and was not used for carving, but instead used for war.

From card: "Carved wood. Illus. in USNM AR 1888, Pl. 17, fig. 63, p. 272. See Andrews, 'Indian Primitive', p. 66." Plate caption in USNM AR for 1888 identifies object as "Dance Wand. Carried in the hand. Ornamented with human hair. Hoodsinoo Indians (Koluschan stock) [i.e. Hutsnuwu Tlingit], Alaska. Collected by Paymaster E. B. Webster, U.S. Navy." On p. 272 of the same report Niblack writes that this object is "... a Tlingit ceremonial dance wand in the shape of a dagger ..."