NAVIGATION

Finely woven and twisted spruce root basketry conical hats were worn at feasts and other ceremonial occasions. Woven by women, they were painted by men, usually their husbands. The weaving on the upper part of the hat is finer and smoother than the textured skip stitch on the flaring brim which could adequately protect the wearer from rain. The design forms that make up the bear and the raven have been reduced to essential minimums giving the decoration the look of a modern work of abstract art. However, these hats are an old tradition amongst the peoples of the Northwest coast, being produced before the arrival of Europeans.