A1638.4

  The headband appears to be made from numerous strands of cedar bark twined together to form a circular headpiece with two dyed feathers tied onto the top of the headpiece with string. They have been tied horizontally and so that the top of each feather is facing the opposite direction. The headpiece is a shade of light orange brown and the feathers are dyed half black and half white. It can be proved that they are dyed by the feather’s uneven nature of the black half.

        The object appears to be in used condition, but still stable, with no signs of discoloration or breakage. However, the strands of bark twined together to form the headpiece have begun to fray and slightly stick out to the sides. Some entwined strands are also obviously loose and must be handled with care when picked up to ensure that they will not fall or rip out of the headpiece. Certain individual strands are also thinning and extremely worn, susceptible to shedding or breaking off. The strands of bark are also flexible, but susceptible to break off if bent too far. The feathers are only secured by a single piece of string and susceptible to damage or may fall off the headpiece if not handled with care. A few of the barbs on the feathers have also been separated. A stray piece of debris was also found stuck to the bark. There is a single larva casing found on the top of the headpiece, where the feathers have been tied, hinting at possible beetle mitigation. There is a catalog number written directly onto a strand of bark on the top of the headpiece with black ink, most likely from a previous museum observation. The headband is 19cm wide (53.5cm including the feathers) and 20cm in height.