Amutat

Identifier2007.040.001

MaterialGutskin;Wood/Plant material;Glass;Sinew

Dimensions Height: 3.5" Width: 22.5" Length: 43"

Age20th century

TraditionsAlutiiq

ProvenancePossibly Old Harbor, Kodiak Island A hooded hip length gut parka, a rather dark, shiny brown color with red highlights, made of eight horizontal panels varying from 9.5 to 10.5cm wide. The seams are sewn with fine braided sinew; centered on the seam every 12 or so cms would two tufts of woolen or unborn seal fur, dyed several different colors, flanking a tiny rectangular strip of of dark burgundy colored seal gut. Very soiled and plain cotton cloth is used at the hems and cuff and at the face entry of the hood. The cloth is a light gray with regular patterns of dark bars. At the neck is a tab of black felted woolen cloth. The cotton cloth forms a tie tube around the hood opening which contains a finely braided sinew line, at the end of which are eight glass beads identified by Aron Crowell of the Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center staff, as 19th century beads. The colors are burgundy, green and blue. The final body panel at the top, both front and back, is longer and forms part of the arms. Additional material forming the top of the arms is then projected up and over the head to form the top of the hood. The hood panels are generally vertical.