Knife made from thick steel cable. Thin strands of steel are wrapped into small cables, then joined with similar and twisted to make a thick rod. Knife handle retains the cable’s structure, and then is flattened, thinned and shaped to make a blade. Patterning of the twisted strands can be seen along the blade’s back and sides. Knife rises to a point at tip.

Museum Purchase: Funds from Elizabeth Cole Butler Auction Proceeds.

Museum Purchase: Funds provided by an anonymous donor.

Carving knife with a short steel blade, round metal neck piece and wooden handle. Knife looks as if it may have originally been manufactured/store bought, then modified by hand to fit better. The handle, neck and lower part of blade have red paint remnants and/or splatters. The blade shows major sharpening marks.

Woolen knit sash with a pouch at the end. Long, thin, knit band in alternating colour blocks of grey, red and black. An open topped pouch is attached to one end at its mouth, with a zigzag pattern knit into one side, and lines into the other of the same alternating colours. The opposite end of the band is attached to the pouch’s side with a thick woolen tie. Inside the pouch is a packet (part b) of 11 coins, all Canadian quarters.

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

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.

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.)