Walter Waters collected this blanket from the Tlingit, probably at Wrangell, Alaska. The chief crest of the Kiksadi, the principal Raven clan at Wrangell, is the frog, here depicted in a flamboyant triple row of buttons. Red flannel lines its mouth and underlies the large buttons in the eyes, feet, nostrils, vertebrae, and hips. The bands of buttons are utilized as modified formlines. The same exuberant use of buttons in multiple rows characterizes the border. Saltwater pearl buttons are very reflective, and the rippling of the button applique in firelight suggests molten silver. (Holm, Spirit and Ancestor, 1987)

The subject of this carving is the Salmon-Boy, who was taken away by the salmon people because he made disparaging remarks about one of their dead, calling it moldy. He didn't know he was among salmon; they seemed like humans to him. When the salmon tribe dispersed to go to their various spawning streams the boy, now a salmon, was caught by his grieving parents. They found him inside the salmon and, when he came to life, he taught his people how to treat salmon so they would continue to give themselves to men. (Holm, Spirit and Ancestor, 1987)

The shell is abalone.

The paint is black and red.