• Results (434)
  • Search

Item Search

The item search helps you look through the thousands of items on the RRN and find exactly what you’re after. We’ve split the search into two parts, Results, and Search Filters. You’re in the results section right now. You can still perform “Quick searches” from the menu bar, but if you’re new to the RRN, click the Search tab above and use the exploratory search.

View Tutorial

Log In to see more items.

Pestle BaseE274120-0
Ceremonial StaffE274433-0

From card: "Carved head and portion of the shaft representing the head and body of a bird."

Culture
Indian
Made in
Alaska, USA
Holding Institution
National Museum of Natural History
View Item Record
SpoonE274215-0
Blanket - Button BlanketE274676-0

From card: "Thick blue blanket stuff with broad border of broadcloth ornamented with applique designs of whales [sic], men, and seals [sic], and lines of pearl buttons. Loan: Crossroads Sep 22 1988. Loan returned Jan 21 1993. Illus.: Crossroads of Continents catalogue; Fig. 221, p. 174."Blue and black-striped diagonal weave napped wool blanket with top and sides edged in appliqued band of red wool. Beige selvages on red wool are typical of a strouding trade blanket. Red wool shapes of standing bear(?) with arms spread, crosses, and 27 salmon(?) appliqued on as decoration. Small white shell buttons form rectangles, one within the other, in the center. Four large white shell buttons decorate centers of four crosses, and two more form eyes of the bear. White beads outline bear's figure. tabs with buttons on top edge may be device for a neck tie or for securingIllus. Fig. 221, p. 174 in Fitzhugh William W., Aron Crowell and National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). 1988. Crossroads of Continents : Cultures of Siberia and Alaska. Washington D.C: Smithsonian Institution Press. Identified there as Tsimshian: "As described in the Tsimshian myth of "The Prince Who Was Taken Away by the Spring Salmon" (Boas 1916: 192), each species of salmon has its own chief and village beneath the sea. When the cottonwood leaves fall into the Skeena River, it is a signal for the salmon to leave their villages and head upstream, led by their chief, the First Salmon. It is not known what myth is illustrated by this flannel-appliqued button blanket, but its humanoid central figure may represent a salmon chief. Alternatively, it may be the submarine monster Nagunaks ..."

Culture
Indian and Tsimshian ?
Made in
Alaska, USA
Holding Institution
National Museum of Natural History
View Item Record