Western style coat with outward flaring skirt at bottom; small rectangular flap at back of neck; black, red, tan and light grey geometric painted symmetrical designs; cuffs on sleeves; light-colored hide; no closures

Hunting Coat, c. 1750

Innu (Naskapi)expand_more

Caribou hide, pigmentexpand_more

The Robert J. Ulrich Works of Art Purchase Fundexpand_more  2012.27

Not on Viewexpand_more

This coat was made to communicate with animals and the divine. In the 1700s, in the far reaches of northern Labrador (now in Canada), Innu (Naskapi) men dressed up in elegant, tailored coats—not to court beautiful women but to attract caribou. Made of creamy white caribou hide and elaborately decorated, the coats pleased Papakassik, an Innu holy being, and mesmerized the animals. Drawn to the coat made especially for it, the caribou would give its life to the hunter.

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Details
Title
Hunting Coat
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2012.27
Curator Approved

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Western style coat with outward flaring skirt at bottom; small rectangular flap at back of neck; black, red, tan and light grey geometric painted symmetrical designs; cuffs on sleeves; light-colored hide; no closures

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