bird head, slate

bird head, slate

bird head, slate

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Introduction

Stylized slate head of bird of prey, broken. Collected by Dr. Oronhyatekha; acquired by the ROM in 1911 from the Independent Order of Foresters.

Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC generated

Materials

Ground stone, likely slate.

Techniques or Format

Ground and polished slate.

Motifs and Patterns

Bird's head. Stylized bird of prey, not a duck.

Original and Subsequent Uses

Dr. O Catalogue, p. 47: "used solely for ceremonial or religious use"

Condition: Broken
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Published in F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection, 1904

Current Location: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 911.3.10
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1911
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Independent Order of Foresters
Publication History

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independent Order of Foresters, 1904),p 47, "Head of Bird Amulet. Bird and Butterfly Amulets - These are found more frequently in Ontario than in any other part of North America, and are considered to have been used solely for ceremonial or religious use. In No. 268 the Eye projects like a button from the bird's head. The holes for suspending these amulets were usually made diagonally across the lower corners...It may be that these are talismans or religious tokens of the Deities of the birds and insects of the air."

GKS Reference Number: 1380
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, bird head, slate. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.10. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1380.

Record Creation Context

Record created as a result of a GRASAC-sponsored research trip to the Royal Ontario Museum, December 15-19, 2008. Research costs supported by a SSHRC Aboriginal Research Grant (2007-2010, Ruth Phillips, PI).

Approximate Place of Origin

43.6, -71.9

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