Gift of Miss Henrietta E. Failing.

Gift of Miss Henrietta E. Failing.

Gift of Miss Mary F. Failing.

The objects in this accession were collected primarily for use on museum exhibit mannequins representing a Chilkat Tlingit family group. It may be speculated that this hair was to be used as part of the exhibit.

Anthropology catalogue ledger book identifies Catalogue #s E20827 and E20911 as Swan original # 61. List in accession file identifies # 61 as "1 box containing complete outfit of an Indian medicine man, Hannegan Indians, Klawark village, P. of Wales Island, Alaska." Catalogue Nos. E20828 - 38 may be related objects?

Cribbage game board. Object is carved in the shape of a fish, balancing on four peg legs, with a wide head and rounded snout, eyes set far apart on top of head. Down the back of the creature are bored four lines of small, evenly placed holes and among these are etched images of animals such as seals, walrus, fish, whales, and people fishing and driving a dog sled. The etchings have been darkened, with an ink or pigment, for visibility.

Small woven rug or blanket. On a background of light tan are woven red, light green, and dark brown lines of various widths, several long red arrows, a stalk of grain(?), and two identical Yei figures with arms bent at elbows, square green faces, and red garments. Loop of wool at one lower corner.

Basketry hat. Cap is half-orb in shape, constructed in a very fine weave, with a slight dip at top centre around a wrapping of bark. Design is imbricated, in repeating geometric patterns of triangle motifs, and fine encircling lines of alternating colour, dark brown and uncoloured grass. Interior is undecorated.

Imbricated basket. Tall basket is shaped like an inverted cone, with a small rounded bottom flaring up toward the braided rim. The exterior of the basket is heavily covered in imbricated decoration in a dense linear zigzag design in dark brown and red-brown, on a dyed yellow background. Interior is undecorated. A double thong of thin hide serves as a handle and is tied to the rim in two places.

Corn husk pouch or bag. Bag is rectangular, with one end folding overtop a pouch and securing with two leather ties. The interior of pouch and flap are woven cotton, while woven corn husk fibre creates the exterior layer. Dyed fibres are worked in, loose ends showing on the underside. Decorations are of triangular shapes and crossed lines, in purple, red, orange and yellow. The flap is edged with leather, and two hide straps are sewn to the backside.