NORTHWEST COAST HAIDA BUTTON BLANKET SET WITH LEGGINGS

Origin:   British Columbia, Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida People  

Period/Date: Mid 20th century

Materials: wool, duffle-felt, thread, pearl shell buttons

Description:  This button blanket is unique because it is not only a complete set with a pair of leggings but it is a smaller size made for an adolescent.  The bold graphic design symbolizes the Raven clan.   It was used in traditional ceremonies and exchanged at potlatches.   Many of the appliquéd pearl shell buttons pre-date the manufacture of the piece by 50-70 years.  All handmade, no machine stitching.  Condition is very good except for a couple minor pin holes.  It has been stored in a non-smoking environment.

Taken from (Robes of Power, by D. Jensen and P. Sargeant) "The button blanket is worn for ceremonies, such as Feasts, naming Ceremonies, Memorials, Totem Pole Raisings, Weddings, and given as gifts within the Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Bella Coola, Kwakuitl, and Nisg’a tribes. A widely used name for the blankets is Feast Wear. Dancing in the firelight the dancer will come alive portraying a particular figure or event.  Although the red, black and white colours have spiritual meanings (see below), the button blanket robe was really designed for "temporal reasons rather than spiritual - in other words, they represent family crests, proclaim rank, and the social status of the wearer. That status was and is reinforced by the button robe's acclamation of cosmic support - power - the history of which has been validated properly and perpetuated through time.

This material is also used for the main design. Depending on the clan the designs include raven, killer-whale, eagle, wolf. The blankets are decorated with buttons made of mother-of-pearl (brought by the European traders).  The Button Blankets were highly prized 'give-away's at Potlatches.  Red border represents supernatural power also interpreted as the 'winter ceremonial Red Cedar Bark Ceremony'. It also means wealth and nobility; Black background was thought to render the wearer invincible; the white buttons represents peace, spirituality, harmony and balance." 

Dimensions:   Length 37.5"  (95 cm), Width 24.25"  (61.5 cm), Leggings: Length 18"  (46 cm), Width 12"  (30.5 cm)

Price:  $850      Currency Conversion    FREE SHIPPING With (Buy Now) Feature!

Backside of Leggings