15 3/8 in. x 3 5/8 in. x 3 1/4 in. (39.05 cm. x 9.21 cm. x 8.26 cm.)
Object Type
sculpture
Creation Place
North America, United States, Northwest Coast
Medium and Support
polychromed wood, hair
Credit Line
Anonymous Gift
Copyright
Public Domain
Accession Number
1850.5
During the nineteenth century, tourists who traveled in North America often collected works by Native American artists. They regarded them as souvenirs and often understood little about their significance. Though some non-Natives sought to better understand these tribal nations, many saw these objects as simple curiosities or works of a “vanishing race.” Questions remain about whether this Tlingit medicine man figurine served a ritual function or was created exclusively for trade.
Additional Media
Left side
right side
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