МАЭ № 536-12

Woven hat

Kodiak Eskimos

19th c.

Russian circumnavigations and half round-the-world sea expeditions

spruce root, paint, cloth, cotton thread

height 11 cm, diameter of the brim 37 cm, diameter of the crown 9.7 cm

The Alutiit achieved a high level of mastery in making hats, especially in the tightness of the weave. The hat provides good protection from rain: the roots from which the hat is made swell up and do not allow the water to penetrate it. A sea animal with two rows of sharp teeth is drawn with a half-open mouth. It is possible that it is a sea lion or a killer whale. A head without ears is a characteristic element used to depict sea animals. Six parallel lines of red and black on the sides of the brim symbolize fins.

Ethnography of America