The ceremonial clothing of the Northwest Coast Indians is often decorated
with bold woven or painted designs showing human or animal figures. As can
be seen on the borders of this tunic, some of them are stylized and
difficult to decipher unless certain distinguishing features are known.
The two figures in the center are easier to identify. They are bears,
shown by their characteristically broad, toothy mouths, and long sharp
claws. The tunic was mostly likely worn by a chief to display his crest
symbols.