Sea Bear Amulet
Description: This amulet shows an x-ray style where the ribs of the creatures are visible, this is very characteristic of Tlingit art. This piece is 5.375 inches or 13.63 cm long. This object was stolen from an íxt’s grave from Hoonah by G.T. Emmons. Some humanoid type figure is in the mouth of the Sea Bear and without the story from the íxt’ it is hard to describe what is going on with placing it there.
A Sea Bear is a mythical creature and is not a major crest of any Northern Tlingit clans. The iconography seen in íxt’ art originates from the mind of the íxt’ and can come from various sources of inspiration. If the íxt’ has not purposely described what is being depicted in the art piece, interpretation by others after the death of the íxt’ is speculative at best. At times certain creatures can be identified because they have been depicted in a conventional manner and are commonly encountered animals. Then there are the things that come to an íxt’ in the form of visions or dreams and even though there may be a common animal involved it could have supernatural abilities and forms depending on how the íxt’ sees it.
Creatures that come the mind of the íxt ’carry supernatural powers and are not questioned by commoners as to how they are depicted or what they represent. This piece was used in healing ceremonies and since it has been pierced it is to be worn either around the neck, waist or sewn to a hide dance apron. It could be worn as a single item or in a group of other amulets. Regardless of how it is worn amulets carried power for the íxt’ and after the death of the íxt’ amulets still carried power so they could not be handled by male commoners unless a series of protocols were followed and even then, there was a great risk that something negative could still happen to those individuals involved. There could be absolutely no females involved with an íxt’s objects or the moving of those objects. The arch enemy of the íxt’ was the witch and these two were in constant combat with each other as the íxt’ protected his village from the actions of the dark side.
Formerly in the collection of and probably collected by Lieutenant George T. Emmons (1852-1945, US Navy 1881-1899) at an unknown date; purchased by MAI from George T. Emmons in 1920 with funds donated by MAI trustees James B. Ford (1844-1928) and Harmon W. Hendricks (1846-1928). Creation Date: 1840-1860. Manufacture: Tlingit [Hoonah (Huna)]