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hunting pouch
hunting pouch
hunting pouch
This black smoked hide bag has also been described as a hunting pouch. There is a triangle flap with appliqued quillwork and jingle cones, with red-dyed deer or moose hair. There are plant motifs growing from the bottom of the bag, with curls at the top, perhaps indicating corn, fiddlehead or another type of plant growing upward from blue triangles. There is a V-type design on the decorative flap. The bag opens along the top seam. There is a red twill fabric strap, with tassels of the same material on the strap. The strap is made from European, commercial cotton or wool. There is a purple silk ribbon applique running horizontally across the top front flap. The quill applique is done with commercial linen thread. The bag is unlined, made from two pieces, and structurally stitched in dark brown to blend with the hide. The back is undecorated. Although there is a attribution to the Comanche in Texas, GRASAC researchers recognize this as a Great Lakes relative, dating from the late 1700s to 1820s. The materials and styles can be connected to multiple Great Lakes nations.
The bag is currently at the Ethnologisches Museum Berlin, Germany.
Attributed to Comanche [Comandsche, Cumanha] in Museum documentation, however this bag has many Great Lakes characteristics.
GRASAC researchers thought the corn or fiddlehead motif could indicate Algonquian or Naskapi influence; the symbolism, wrapping/braiding on the V-shaped flap and edging suggest Iroquoian connections; the prevalence of red-dyed hair and tinkle cones suggests Wendat influence; the straps with tassels and ribbon applique suggest connections to Michilimackinaw.
Museum records and GRASAC researcher notes.
Read More About This Relative
hide, jingle cones, red dyed deer or moose hair, wool, silk ribbon, linen thread
The V-type design of this bag copies the style of an envelope bag, a European design. The flap is decorative, in that the bag opens, but along the top seam - the flap is a "faux flap" in that it is not an extra piece of hide, it is decorated to give the appearance of a flap.
The tassels on the strap are made from the same wool fabric of the strap. The material has been unravelled about 10 cm on each side, and then twisted into five cords on the left side; four on right side; with tassels on the end on the each side. The warp fibres are twisted into double stranded cords, the ends of which are tassels of same material. The tassels are bound with commercial linen thread based on magnifying examination.
Plant motifs growing from the bottom with curls on top, perhaps corn, fiddlehead, or another kind of plant that grows out of a hill, or mounded earth. Laura Peers also observed that the curves might reference double horns.
While there was some question as to whether the strap's fabric was European cotton or wool, Laura Peers believes it is more likely to be wool because of the crimping.
The designs generated a lot of conversation among GRASAC researchers. Alan Corbiere thought the symbolism aligned the bag with Haudenosaunee nations - especially if interpreted as a corn or plant motif. He noted the wrapping, braiding and interlacing on the top flap V and edging was very interesting. Laura Peers observed that fiddlehead fern or double horn motifs are common in Quebec, including on Naskapi coats or Algonquian makaks. Hills are often rounded in designs, but the blue triangles from which the curved designs emerge are more triangular. Laura Peers also observed that the quantity of red-dyed hair in the tinkle or jingle cones is associated with Wendat designs. Alan Corbiere and Laura Peers recalled David Penney's work with blackened bags, and their production in Michilimackinaw as a cottage industry. Both Laura and Alan have seen red straps, but not with tassels as with this bag. The ribbon applique is one diagnostic feature, according to Laura Peers, but it does not suggest Haudenosaunee. For this reason, GRASAC researchers wondered if Michilimackinaw was a possible place of origin.
1840 is the date of acquisition by the Museum. During a research visit to the Museum, Alan Corbiere thought the bag dated to the late 1700s, and Laura Peers thought the bag dated from 1800-1820.
Provenance
The catalogue card identifies the pouch as Comanche, associated with other items identified as Creek and Seminole.
Museum documentation
About This GRASAC Record
Created by Nikolaus Stolle during a research visit to the museum commissioned by Ruth Phillips and supported by her research funds.
Augmented by Cara Krmpotich on March 12, 2024, incorporating research notes and photography from a May 2019 GRASAC research visit to the museum including Cara Krmpotich, Laura Peers, Alan Corbiere, and Maureen Matthews, with Hannah Turner and Charles Feaver as photographers.
Edited by CJ Pentland on June 26, 2020
Although Texas is listed as a Place of Origin, this seems unlikely based on the bag itself which corresponds to the Great Lakes region.