Skip to main content

Link to Smithsonian homepage

Smithsonian Music

Main menu

  • Calendar
  • Listen
  • Learn
    • Ask Smithsonian
    • Collections Spotlights
    • Music Stories
  • Watch
  • Blog

Dancing Skirt And Leggings With Puffin Beaks & Chinese Coins

Object Details

Notes
From card: "4/4/68 - includes pair of leggings, only a few coins remain on skirt, GP A-B-C. Leggings have red wool applique and shell buttons. Skirt [a.k.a. apron] decorated with puffin beaks and coins. Collector's tag: "Dancing skirt and leggings. Ancient work was trimmed when new with puffin beaks and Chinese copper coins. Procured at Massett [Masset] of Scana cha tas, a chief whose father formerly owned and wore the dress in ceremonials. Chinese copper coins were brought from Canton by traders 100 years ago and were very common among the coast tribes who trimmed their blankets with them."
The handwritten James G. Swan tag quoted on the card above is still with the artifacts as of 2010. In addition to the information quoted above, it lists the objects as Swan original No. 70 and indicates a collection date of July 7th, 1883, at a cost of $1.25.
Record Last Modified
14 Apr 2020
Specimen Count
3
Data Source
NMNH - Anthropology Dept.
Collector
James G. Swan
Donor Name
James G. Swan
Accession Date
21 Dec 1883
Collection Date
7 Jul 1883
Object Type
Apron / Legging
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Link to Smithsonian homepage

  • About
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Back to Top