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NORTH AMERICAN, Pacific Northwest, Haida
Rain Hat, circa 1880-90
Polychrome spruce root
7 x 16”
Gift of Mrs. Robert Van Meter 1979.3

The Haida culture, centered on the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, has long been steeped in artistic traditions. Skilled fishermen and artisans, the Haida people are well known for creating intricate wood and stone carvings, jewelry, and intricate weavings. Situated on an archipelago, the Haida lacked in a number of natural resources and thus traded their artwork for necessary commodities. From the first days of contact, the Haida tailored their craft to European and American needs. This wide-brimmed rain hat may have been created for trade. Like the decoration on other Haida objects, the decoration on this hat may embody spiritual dimensions important to the native Haida culture. Symbols and other decorative devices that embellish Haida works may be interpreted as statements of social identity, or as stories of mythical encounters with animals.