HEADDRESS FRONTLET
Tlingit
Southeast Alaska
ca. 1840
This Tlingit headdress frontlet, crafted from wood, abalone shells, pigments, hide, ermine tails, felt, baleen, and sea lion whiskers, stands at 7 ¼” in height (excluding the plaque).
donaldellisgallery.com
#TlingitArt #art
Tlingit culture, found in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia, is rich in traditions centered on family, art, spirituality, and a deep connection to the sea. Key aspects include a matrilinea! kinship system, intricate wood carvings, and a strong emphasis on potlatches and respect for the natural world, particularly salmon. Descent and inheritance are traced through the mother's line, and clan membership is passed down through the mother's family. Tlingit society is organized into moieties (Raven-Crow and Eagle-Wolf) and further divided into autonomous clans, each with its own crests. The Tlingit are renowned for their intricate wood carvings, particularly totem poles, canoes, and ceremonial objects, often incorporating clan crests and animal motifs. A ceremonial feast where hosts give away possessions to demonstrate wealth and status, strengthening social bonds and reaffirming clan relationships.
Shaman's poncho
hide and pigment
Tlingit culture
Alaska
c. 1850
#tlingit #tlingitart #ritual #religion #tlingitculture #alaska #alaskanart #indigenousart #shamanism #firstnation #ceremonialgarment #nativeamericanhistory #culturalheritage #tribalart #anthropology #historicaltextiles
This carved red cedar panel by Tlingit artists Nathan Jackson and Ernest Smeltzer depicts the narrative of Raven’s theft of the sun and its subsequent release into the sky, thereby illuminating the world.
#tlingit #tlingitart
Ketchikan Museums
Ch’áak’ X’oosht (Charcoal Eagle) - This mask honors my grandmother, an Eagle clan Tlingit. She was a powerful orator and storyteller, who had a commanding and authoritative voice within her 4’9” frame. She would have had much to say today! #tlingit #tlingitart #tlingitlanguage #tlingitcarving
Shaanáx̱ Dís - (lit. ‘through’ the head month’)
The Tlingit ‘calendar’ consisted of 13 moons. December is when ‘hair shows on the seal embryo’s head’.
The 6 seal fur elements represent this moon. The 13 abalone shells represent the lunar year.
#tlingit #tlingitcarving #tlingitlanguage #tlingitart
Formline. University of Washington professor Bull Holm coined this term to describe the two dimensional art of the northern northwest coastal natives of 'North America'. This is a work in progress of one of my designs. #tlingit #formline #tlingitart
A generous land owner gifted me with a truckload of carving wood. I carved this little black bear cub as an appreciation gift. #tlingit #tlingitcarving #tlingitart
30" long Raven mask coming together. The Yéil is a central figure (and character) in Tlingit culture.
#tlingit
#tlingitart
#tlingitcarving
#carving
#art
#sculpture
