«The Ceremonial Frontlet is a headress worn by those of high rank among the Tsimshian Indians of Canada's west coast, in the area of Skeena andd Nass Rivers.» explains Andrea Laforet, Acting Chief of Canadian Ethnology at the Museum of Civilization which acquired this frontlet for its collection in 1937.
«The Frontlet was worn along with a robe or chilkat blanket made of mountain goat hair and woven with complicated patterns. A dance apron was also worn, and the person would hold a raven rattle» says Laforet. «Chiefs would wear this costume during a series of ritual events, usually during the winter months.»
Each frontlet would have its own design, she says. The one that appears on Canada Post Corporation's new commemorative stamp in honour of the museum's opening was created by an unidentified craftsman from the Skeena River area around 1900.
The central motif is a large head with gleaming eyes and teeth, encircled by eight frogs with eyes of black stone. Between the frogs is a plaque of shell inlay, adding lustre and texture. Just below the face is a stylized rendering of arms and legs. It was worn with vertical sea lion whiskers attached to the top, and long flowing trailers of ermine fur.
From Time Immemorial: Tsimshian Prehistory
University of Washington Librairies
The Tsimshian Nation
Journal of Political Ecology
Tsimshian: Adaptation on the Pacific Northwest Coast
