Coastal hat plaited with 1/4-inch Alaska red cedar bark collected on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska.

This type of coastal rain hat is indigenous to tribes from Vancouver Island up the Inside Passage into Cook Inlet and west to portions of the Aleutian Islands. Suitable for ceremony, dance or attire, this hat has sufficient presence to indicate the wearer's respect and regard for the event.

Features an icon and dangles, including a 2-inch wide abalone disc; an ermine (14 inches long when he stretches his toes); red and black Pendleton 100% wool banners 13 inches long; Whale's tail carved in bone 1.75 inches wide (origin unknown); 2-inch long dangles with faceted glass beads and Aleut-tan smoked buckskin.

If desired, upon sale, the artist will custom fit a 4-ply headband attaching it with white doeskin strands to secure the hat to the wearer's head. 

At present, the hat can be worn comfortably without worry about fitting a headband.  It is ready to be worn for ceremony, dance, or very stylish attire. This is a flamboyant piece and has several unique quality refinements. The icon is temporarily secured to a woven disc by way of a 2" abalone disc.  The woven disc is also temporarily affixed to the flat crown of the hat.  The purpose for this is the easy removal of the Icon, if desired.  For instance, if it really is raining and the wearer doesn't want a soggy ermine, the entire disc can be quickly removed and reaffixed later.  Or, if the wearer wants a different Icon affixed to the woven disc, that's easily changed, too.  Also, the crisply folded brim is neat and serves to retain the shape of the hat if it actually does get wet while being worn.  The dangles at the brim will not interfere with vision, however, the wearer will be aware of them.  There are 27 dangles and a whale tail dangle.

Crown measures 4 inches across, 9 inches tall and 1/4-inch diameter at the brim.

Photo Gallery. By Lois Chichinoff Thadei. $440.00 (#1158)