Child’s coat

NameChild’s coat

CultureAlaska Native

Date1922

Place madeAlaska, United States, North America

MediumReindeer, flour sack cotton, beaver, wolf, walrus ivory

DimensionsH 26" x W 32" x D 7" Chest: 30"

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Rozanne Kramer, A.1972.51.13

Object numberA.1972.51.13

DescriptionThe unique spot pattern of reindeer parkas was
highly prized and often entered into trade-fair
competitions. More commonly used in parkas
during the twentieth century, reindeer hides were
traded with Siberian herders before reindeer
husbandry was introduced to Alaska in 1892.
Like caribou, reindeer hide is extremely warm and
has been used for pullover-style parkas throughout
Arctic regions.
The child’s reindeer fawn coat with walrus ivory
buttons is a modern design commissioned in 1922
for the daughter of a U.S. military officer stationed
at Fort Seward. The coat hood is made from the
fawn’s head and, typical of children’s parkas, the
fawn’s ears remain attached (from exhibition label text).

Material identifications by parka maker Bobby Brower (Inupiaq) and reindeer herder Bonnie Scheele (Inupiaq), August 2021. Ivory buttons confirmed by St Lawrence Island ivory carver Jason Iya, September 2022.

Brown and white spotted reindeer fur on body, sleeves and hood except around face. Face ruff is wolf. Sleeve and bottom trim is beaver. Felt-like flour sack lining beneath animal skin inside arms, body and hood. 4 ivory buttons (round) on each side.