Native American Parka circa 1910!

[MattieXMoto]

Was at the NY Met and wanted to share.

Stunning shell they used to block wind and rain over their larger fur parkas

Circa 1910
Seal Intestine
Auklet beaks and feathers
Tanned leather
Polar bear fur
SInew

 

[Observe]

I've heard of seal brown, but seal intestines?

 

[handymike]

Fantastic!

 

[MattieXMoto]

Fantastic!

What is striking is how thin it was. Almost translucent. The goretex from native america. I wonder if there is anyone who still knows how to craft a piece like this anymore.

 

[handymike]

I figure the skills are lost

 

[Edward]

Unless these had a ritual purpose to them rather than the purely practical, I suspect it is probably that the skills have been lost. As much as anything because I doubt there would be any use made of the rest of the seal these days, and it would as a result be rather wasteful to take one from nature rather than just buy a mac. Still, even if it's not done it would be nice to see the *knowledge* survive.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Seal meat stew is still around in Canada, mostly the maritimes. Maybe the inuits there still have something similar.

On a side note, Shinki has fish skin leather now. Similar to intestine leather I suppose, not big in square footage, kinda exotic in its looks... Alternative to snake skin maybe.