Ceremonial mantle

This garment, decorated with highly stylized animal crests, was used as a ceremonial mantle. The main element of Tlingit ceremonial attire, such garments were also worn by the Tsimshian, Haida, and Kwakiutl. They displayed the characteristic crest emblems of the animals – bears, killer whales, and other creatures – who came to the aid of the clan’s ancestors and are thus associated with its mythological origins. The animal’s inclusion in the crest gave clan members the right to treat this image as a family possession. Crests were guarded jealously, their use forbidden to anyone who did not receive permission from the family that owned them.