CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ETHNOLOGY OF THE HAIDA [OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS]. SWANTON, JOHN R. MEMOIRS, 8, 1905

Large brown armoured vest. Vest has two straps with bone plates that go over shoulders and a piece in front that can be tied closed. Front of vest is adorned with six nutshells tied on with leather cord. Back of vest is completely covered in bone plates. Top of front flap is adorned with feathers and sewn with green thread to hold on remaining feathers.

Dagger and sheath. The knife (part a) has a shiny steel blade, gently curved at bottom, ending in a sharp point, and with a central spine on both front and back. The hilt is made of horn, with a wide pommel narrowing to a thin grip. Two round brass seals decorate the pommel front and are attached by nails that pierce the horn and emerge from the back. Small metal protrusions embellish the front of the hilt as does a bottom encircling band. The sheath (part b) is made of yellow leather covered with thin strips of brown leather. Lines of small holes and incised ‘x’ shapes decorate the yellow leather. The main portion is slightly curved to accommodate the dagger’s blade, while the bottom turns dramatically upward. Red fabric lines the opening of the sheath.

Beaded cow horn club. The head is made of two cow horns with the tips pointing outward from the centre. A piece of checked fabric in yellow, white and dark purple is wrapped around the centre where the horns join. Furred hide is wrapped around the fabric, and white feathers are attached at top. The handle is covered in small glass beads of white, black, dark blue and orange. Two strips of hide hang from the bottom of the handle and join at their distal ends, edged in green and orange beads, with transparent beads decorating the centre. At the bottom is a finely cut leather tassel.

Small goat horn spoon. The bowl is shallow, long and narrow, with curving sides that bulge slightly at midpoint. The tip inclines. The handle and bowl are made from a single piece of horn, flowing from the bowl’s bottom, and at a sharp angle on neck top. The handle is slightly curved, and narrows toward the tip. The spoon is undecorated.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.