Male Bunraku theatre puppet (part a) wearing a long heavy robe. He has a removable head (part b) and separate sword (part c). The body has an internal wooden, bamboo and paper frame, with cords and rods throughout to control arm and hand movement. There are stuffed cloth bundles around the arms, legs and stomach for added dimension. The character is wearing a long-sleeved, front-closing under-robe, coloured dark orange with elaborate white embroidery across its entire surface. Motifs consist of circular dragons with curvilinear and floral lines in between. Overtop, the puppet is wearing a short-sleeved, vest-like robe. The shoulders and lower half are pleated. Coloured dark purple with a dark grey meander pattern background. Throughout there are embroidered circular dragons divided by rows of flowers; designs in white, dark orange and dark green. Matching belt tied around waist. White wooden hands extend past the sleeves. The head (part b) consists of a beige square-like face, long beige neck and styled black hair. He has a wide nose, large light grey eyes, and wide slanted eyebrows. A pointed diagonal red line is painted across both eyes, lips are done in a matching red. He has a light blue beard and moustache. Hair is pulled into a top knot, with a paper bow secured behind. Head is attached to a wooden rod with a handgrip. Multiple cords, with toggles, run through the grip and into the head, to control eye, eyebrow, mouth and neck movement. Maker's mark stamped onto base of head and along back of handgrip. The short curved sword (part c) is sheathed. It has a black hilt with a bronze-coloured metal pommel and guard. The sheath is black with a bronze-coloured metal cap. The sheath’s grip is dark brown and has light brown flowers painted across it. Brown, grey and white striped cord tied around the blade, to attach it to the puppet’s belt.

Carved wooden figure depicting a standing woman. She is forward facing, with a flat body, thin arms and rounded legs. Her feet are circular and have incised lines along the front edges, imitating toes. She has a wide neck and long, oval-shaped face. Her eyebrows are pronounced and she has a thin nose, and straight mouth. Her eyes are circular and inlaid with bone and obsidian. There are incised lines across her head, imitating hair, that extend upward, into a large bun, protruding from the top of her head. Her long, oval-shaped ears are along the back sides of her head. Holes are drilled into the lobes. On her front, her breasts are carved in low relief. Her right arm is bent, with her hand resting below her left breast. Her left arm is parallel to her body, with her hand resting over her groin. On the back of the figure, her shoulder blades and buttocks are carved in low relief.

Carved wooden figure depicting a standing woman. Her head is shown in profile and is facing down. She has a long, oval-shaped face with pronounced eyebrows and lips, and a long, wide nose. Her eyes are circular and inlaid with bone and obsidian. There are incised lines across her head, imitating hair, that extend into two buns, protruding from the back of her head. The figure’s body is flat and curves towards the left. Legs have a curved front and flat back. Feet are circular and have incised lines along the front edges, imitating toes. Her right arm is bent with her hand resting on her stomach. Her left arm is parallel to her body, with her hand resting near her groin. On the back of the figure, her shoulder blades and buttocks are carved in low relief. She has a white string knotted around her neck. Inscription on the centre of her back, reading "Soquel 1909."

THE KWAKIUTL OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. BOAS, FRANZ MEMOIRS, 8, 1909

THE KWAKIUTL OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. BOAS, FRANZ MEMOIRS, 8, 1909