Abalone coastal hat plaited with Alaska red cedar and embellished with 20 miniature abalone shells collected in the mid-1940s. The shells, 1 to 1.5 inches long, have a classic wave curl from churning in sandy surf. It is the foundational pattern used to represent cresting, ocean waves. This very small detail could be missed by some.

Four corners sweep gracefully from their elevated position above the hollowed crown. A smooth circular taper expands the circumference as the weaving leads to the crisply folded brim.

At the back of the hat, a 20-year-old abalone disc is secured with a deer hide thong. Dyed a deep, ruby color, the thong can be used as a simple decoration. It also can be removed entirely or used to securely fasten the owner's own personal icon to the hat.

Two additional strands of deer hide attached to the headband can be used to hold hat securely on the head.

The four-ply cedar bark head band is 23 inches in circumference -- that's a hat size of 7.25 to 7.5. Circumference at the brim is 43.5 inches; diameter at the crown is 4 inches; depth is 6.5 inches.

Photo Gallery. By Lois Chichinoff Thadei. $345.00 (#1155)