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Object Number
69-30-10/1590
Display Title
Killer Whale War Helmet
Descriptions
Indigenous Term
Shadaa
Object Description
War helmet carved in a single block of dense wood representing a killer whale. Warrior's hat with killer whale fins and tail on back. Cut from the burr of a tree. Inlaid with fin design. Helmets can be distinguished from crest hats by their greater thickness and by the lack of a broad rim. This dome-shaped zoomorphic helmet covered the warrior's head down to the eyes and was fitted over a fur liner for comfort. It was secured under the chin with hide straps. Below the helmet a single thick and heavy piece of bent wood used as a face-guard circled the warrior's head, leaving only a narrow gap for vision. It was held in place by biting a loop of heavy spruce-root pegged to the inside. The helmet depicts the killer whale, a "red meat" eater and fierce hunter known to attack [see Object Description text entry for extended description]
Inventory Description
Carved wood Killer Whale helmet, painted, teeth inlay, leather ties
Classification
- Raw Material
- Helmet
Department
Ethnographic
Date
18th century-Early 19th century
Culture
- Angoon?
- Daklaweidi?
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America
/
United States
/
Alaska
Materials
Wood, Opercula, Pigment, Hide
Dimensions
Overall: 19 x 32 x 27 cm (7 1/2 x 12 5/8 x 10 5/8 in.)
Quantity
1
Provenance
Collector
Capt. Edward Gustavus Fast
(10/01/1867-07/01/1868)
Dealer
Capt. Edward Gustavus Fast
(01/01/1869)
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| PrimaryMedia | Object Number | Title | Classification | Geography/Provenience | SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69-30-10/1594 | War Helmet |
Helmet
|
Alaska
| |
| 2004.24.34285.1 | Wooden helmet; killer whale |
Alaska
| ||
| 2004.24.34285.2 | Wooden helmet; killer whale |
Alaska
| ||
| 05-7-10/65454 | Killer Whale Forehead Mask |
Mask
|
North America
| |
| 2004.24.34284 | Killer whale headdress in 3 pieces |
North America
| ||
|
Media Restricted
| 09-10-10/74554 | Part of headdress, killer whale |
Ornament
|
North America
| |
| 69-30-10/65445 | Ornament for headdress representing killer whale |
Raw Material
Ornament |
Alaska
| |
| 69-30-10/2170 | Leather Sheath |
Dagger
|
Alaska
| |
| 33-59-10/1403 | Basket with killer whale decoration. |
Basket
|
North America
| |
| 94-57-10/R223 | Effigy of orca or killer-whale in antler |
Raw Material
Carving |
North America
| |
| 2004.24.34281 | Ornament of headdress representing killer whale |
Alaska
| ||
| 2004.24.34280 | Part of headdress, killer whale |
United States
|