Northwest Coast Raven Button Blanket

Northwest Coast button blanket - style raven wall hanging. 42" x 63" Button Blankets originated in the early 19th century on the Northwest Coast of North America, an early innovation that used trade blankets to create a beautiful and flashy new type of regalia. They are constructed using an applique technique that overlays a cutout crest image, often in red, over a dark blue or black woolen ground cloth. The crest image is then framed by a cloth border, often in the same color as the crest, and outlined with mother of pearl or abalone buttons. Over the last two centuries, button blankets have become an iconic emblem of the Northwest Coast. Because of the strong iconographic imagery of button blankets, they have also been adapted as textile wall hangings, such as this example. The presence of nine dowel hoops sewn into the top of this textile confirms that it was created as a decorative wall panel and not a ceremonial object or regalia. Even so, the construction and craftsmanship are virtually identical between this textile panel and a button blanket that was intended for usage. This panel especially reflects the design of a functional button blanket regalia in its layout and form. This wall hanging features a Raven crest rendered in black on a red ground, an inversion of a typical button blanket scheme. The Raven is depicted in profile in black primary form lines, with its secondary form lines and tertiary spaces delineated in mother of pearl buttons. The tapestry is framed with an elaborate border in black cloth with parallel rows of mother-of-pearl buttons and large, natural abalone shell buttons down the center.