How does the Chilkat Blanket correspond to the characteristic style and iconography of the Northwest Coast peoples? What was the blanket's function?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal Answer should include:
1. Like many of Northwest Coast art, the Chilkat Blanket features animals because they were critical to survival and because the extended family group claimed descent from a mythic animal or animal-human ancestor.
2. The blanket features a popular design known as the diving whale-the central panel shows the downward facing whale(s), while the panels to the sides have been interpreted as this animal's body or seated ravens in profile.
3. Characteristic of Northwest painting and weaving, the images are composed of two basic elements: the ovoid, a slightly bent rectangle with rounded corners, and the formline, a continuous, shape-defining line.
4. This was created for a dynamic display of rituals and performances, and, when the blanket was worn, its shapes and design became three-dimensional, with the dramatic central figure curving over the wearer's back and the intricate side panels crossing over his shoulders and chest.