This is a truly fabulous Chilkat Tlingit Blanket by Maggie Kadanaha (Chilkat Tlingit, 1873-1959) Alaska, Northwest Coast circa 1950’s. This example shows Kadanaha’s classic Orca / Killer Whale “diving whale” pattern; orientated with its head at the bottom of the blanket, its blowhole and body represented by the face in the center of the blanket, and the tail by two flippers. These designs were often woven on a board guide Maggie Kadanaha (1873-1959) was a well-established Chilkat Tlingit weaver at Fort Seward, Alaska. Maggie was married to Mike Kadanaha of the Killer Whale House, which influenced her work, such as this example, to incorporate the Killer Whale into the weaving. The name of the blanket derives from the Tlingit people of the Chilkat (Jilkhaat) region near Kluwan, Alaska on the Chilkat River, known now as Chilkat Blankets or Chilkat Weavings. The blankets were typically worn by a ranking elder over the shoulders for ceremony use and always consist of black, white, yellow and blue colors. Traditionally mountain goat wool, dog fur, and yellow cedar bark were used in early Chilkat weaving and by the mid-century sheep’s wool was incorporated. For reference: See the photograph of item 2016.14.1 a Maggie Kadanaha Chilkat Tlingit Blanket with the same form in the Bowers Museum collection, this example being collected circa 1912 with our example believed to be from the same form done at the end of Maggie’s life in the 1950’s. The blanket shows long yarn fringes and has been backed but the backing has been pulled back at a corner to show part of the reverse. Overall measures as seen 82-inches wide by 42-inches tall. Images from the Bowers Museum are shown for example.