Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Distinct ornaments in this style are often called chief's headdresses because only persons of high status customarily wear them. In particular, the heads of noble houses giving potlatches are frequently seen in such garb during welcoming dances and speeches. Before use in a dance, the hollow center of the headdress is filled with bits of eagle down, which scatter about as the wearer moves, symbolizing goodwill toward his guests.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Museum Purchase: Indian Collection Subscription Fund, Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast Indian Art.

Sphere-shaped basket with circular base and mouth with lid. Base has warps radiating from central point. Light yellow decoration on walls consist of two rows of geometric design forming framework that contains 4 flowers, one diamond shape and the letters "Ketchikan, Alaska". Rim folded over to outside and secured by row of twining. Lid is concave with knob and is decorated with two rows of alternating stitches in light yellow and brown, between two rows of light yellow geometric design. Knob is decorated with one row of light yellow stitching.

Curved silver spoon with an oval bowl and a tapering handle with a profile bird-head finial. Features of bird-head extend out from the handle with the crest and brow band on one side and a jaw line below. Iris and brow band are slightly raised. Engraving includes details on bird's head, including a split u on the crest, an ovoid eye, and mouth and lines indicating the nostril and feathers. Angled ovoid in ovoid on the neck (handle shaft) u-shapes, split u's, and s-curves to large angled ovoid where handle widens to the spoon of the bowl. Wing and tail-like appendages on either side of the ovoid. 'Ketchikan' is engraved in a curve in the spoon bowl.