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 belt is completely covered in small glass beads on the front, with a light blue background and regular patterns of triangles, diamonds and lines in dark blue, red and pink interspersed across the surface. The back of the belt is raw leather. At each end of the belt are two ties used to connect it around the waist.

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.

A light brown, wide-brimmed, woven grass hat. Woven strips of grass, in a herringbone pattern, have been secured in a circular pattern with white plastic threading. The grass at the outer edge of the brim is black, and the underside of the brim features two bands of pyramid design also executed in black grass. The top of the hat features a small design with three black and three light brown sectors that form a circle, held in place with white plastic threading. The chin strap is a made from a light brown strip of leather, which is fed through the sides of the hat’s crown. 24 long coloured ribbons are tied to the leather strap on the exterior of the hat’s crown. There are 6 colours of ribbons (green, white, yellow, blue, pink and purple), and four of each colour. A green ribbon secures the ribbons to the leather strap.

Set of five costume bells. Parts d, e, and f are iron cow bells with wood clappers. Each has a wide top loop that connects it to its leather strap. Part d has a brass buckle in a chevron in shape, with a single remaining prong. Silver metal studs secure the strap’s loop, 3 both above and below the buckle. Part e has a square buckle square made of iron wire. Several belt holes are pierced into the strap, and two rusted studs hold it together at back. Part f has a wide leather strap, dark brown-yellow in colour. Its oval buckle with a central prong is made of thin metal wire. Three belt holes pierce the leather. Parts g and h are identical: each has a small brass bell, wider at base, with brass clappers. They are attached by a leather thong to a large, wide strap. Small, square brass buckles with a central prong close belt at front and back. The ends of the belt are cut into three wide fringes, with the central feeding into the buckles. Brass studs decorate the belt front and back above the buckles. (Also, see mask: 2956/202 a, and costume: 2956/202 b-c.)

Red felt bag with a long fringe. The bag is round at bottom, with straight sides and top, and a long handle. Handle and felt embellishments on bag are in black felt. On the front are four 6-petal flowers made from moose hair tufting, dyed red, purple and yellow and interspersed with green leaves of the same material. A strand of twisted grey hair makes a circle under the flowers and leaves. On the bag’s edges is sewn a thick fringe of deer skin. The interior of the bag is lined with cotton in a small floral pattern. The closure sits at the centre of the bag’s opening, and is a strip of black felt with a metal snap.

Back skirt panel for a woman's opera costume. Garment consists of three floor length panels, a large centre one and two thin side pieces that slightly overlap it. All are edged with white rabbit (?) fur. The panels are completely covered in green, red and pink sequins, patterned to show scaled dragons, each gripping a red ball. The panels are attached to an unbleached cotton waistband with long cotton ties. The back is lined in a plain white synthetic fabric.

Opera costume skirt panel. Panel is long, widening slightly toward the scalloped bottom, and is covered entirely on the front by green sequins in the shape of two dragons grasping at a red and pink ball. The panel is edged in white rabbit fur, and lined on the back with a shiny white synthetic fabric. The waistband is made of unbleached cotton and has a long tie at each corner.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

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.