Fig. 16: Helmet.Tlingit. 
18th century.
32 x 30 cm. 
Wood, leather, polychrome.

This helmet represents a bird. Below the beak a human face with schematic features is painted. This piece was used in war and served as a basic element of battle dress. The engagements fought by the Tlingit were rendered fantastic by the colorful attire of the warriors, which transformed them into supernatural beings having qualities of beavers, bears, foxes, wolves, or other animals. Each of these beasts represented the warrior clan to which each individual fighter belonged.