CHIEFLY FEASTS: THE ENDURING KWAKIUTL POTLACH. JONAITIS, ALDONA EXHIBITION CATALOG, 1991 THE KWAKIUTL OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. BOAS, FRANZ MEMOIRS, 8, 1909

THE THOMPSON INDIANS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. TEIT, JAMES MEMOIRS, 2, 1900

Long, oval cedar basket. Walls of basket angle very slightly outward from base to rim, where a row of twisted cedar lines the mouth. Two long flexible handles of wrapped cedar cross the basket and are attached to its long sides with leather thongs. Decoration is a wide encircling stepped line, in imbricated red and black bark.

Rectangular woven basket in a tight, square weave. Base is a small rectangle, slightly curved walls flaring out toward the wide mouth. The exterior is two-toned, colours indicating a change in weave, dark brown on the bottom and light brown on top. Decoration is black and red bark imbrication in thin vertical patterns, three to a side. Interior weave is unchanged throughout. A rounded handle spans the interior, connecting to rim with pieces of hide; one side is now detached.

Large rectangular trunk with a high convex lid, reinforced by perpendicular horizontal wooden slats (two on the body and five on the lid) with decorative metal slat-clamps at the corners. Base corner clamps include small metal wheels. Corner edges are reinforced with tin strips, with two thinner pieces decorating the front and a tin lip edging the lid. All are attached by rivets. Leather handles were once attached to short sides, with one now missing and the other damaged. Heavy paper lines the outer walls, and has decorative scored and painted ‘x’ and diamond shapes on the front of body and lid. Trunk is closed by two latches at front centre with a lock between, and a drawbolt to each side. At back are three metal hinges. Decorative metal corner bumps are attached at lid’s top corners with a small metal handle at front centre. Interior of trunk lined in grey paper. Part b is a piece of interior luggage that sits high in the trunk on wooden slats. It is divided into three compartments, all with top lifting lids. Made of wood, the piece is covered in grey paper on sides, while lids are decorated in adhesive paper in white and blue lines, borders in red, blue and yellow, and two images at centre of lids showing people, foliage, landscapes and decorative patterning. Attached to the interior lid of the trunk are similar lidded compartments decorated in the same motifs that nestle together with part b in a compact fit. Part c is a rectangular paper luggage tag.

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.

Opera costume blouse collar. Collar consists of two layers, the top covered entirely in dark pink, red and light pink sequins and translucent tubular beads arranged in a dense floral pattern. It is edged with white rabbit fur and the back is lined in a shiny orange synthetic fabric. The bottom layer is a light coral colour with a thick edge of pink sequins and a thinner linear design in light pink at centre. This layer is also edged with rabbit fur, and backed with white synthetic fabric. A coral tab of fabric hangs below the centre front of the bottom layer. The collar closes at the back of the neck with four metal snaps.