Tlingit Ceremonial Dance Blanket

finger-woven on cedar bark warp in mountain goat wool in ivory, black, yellow and turquoise with a stylized heraldic crest design composed of a pair of faces, flanked by two additional pairs of faces in profile, one with a projecting bill or snout with zigzag bands, surmounted by a larger inverted face.

Acquired from Christie's New York, November 1995, lot 165

Very good condition with only minor wear from age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a related example and three interpretations of this blanket's design see Emmons, 1903, 387, pl. 580: "According to Emmons the design represents a killer-whale. In each lower corner is one-half of the head, with the teeth; right in front of the teeth, the nostril; between the two halves of the head, at the lower border of the blanket, the tail. The inverted face in the middle above represents the body. The large square designs containing the goggle design on each side are interpreted as the water blown out from the blow-hole."