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These types of hats were worn by chiefs and whalers. The design of this hat is beautifully illustrated with two canoes, manned by a whaling crew. In the front of each canoe stands the harpooner ready to throw his harpoon. Above the canoes are sealskin oats used to keep the whale afloat after being harpooned. Once brought in to shore the whale was divided amongst the villagers in order of title and rank.
ProvenanceBonhams, San Francisco, Sale 15419 Native American and Pre-Columbian Art, Dec. 3, 2007.
BibliographyFognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 355.
Artist
Cecelia Savey
(Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka))
Hat
Datec. 1970-2000
MediumCedar bark and beargrass
DimensionsOverall: 11 × 11 1/2 in. (27.9 × 29.2 cm)
Object numberT0849
Credit LineLoan from the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextThis hat is constructed of a twined weave in cedar bark with natural and aniline-dyed grasses. The hat is similar to those recorded by Captain James Cook on his trip to the Northwest Coast in 1778. These types of hats were worn by chiefs and whalers. The design of this hat is beautifully illustrated with two canoes, manned by a whaling crew. In the front of each canoe stands the harpooner ready to throw his harpoon. Above the canoes are sealskin oats used to keep the whale afloat after being harpooned. Once brought in to shore the whale was divided amongst the villagers in order of title and rank.
ProvenanceBonhams, San Francisco, Sale 15419 Native American and Pre-Columbian Art, Dec. 3, 2007.
BibliographyFognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 355.
On View
On viewc.1866-1910
c. 1908
