Netted quillwork belt; strap

Netted quillwork belt; strap

Netted quillwork belt; strap

top image
Introduction

This relative, a netted quillwork belt strap, is long and narrow and composed of quills, hide, and sinew. The strap has 18 horizontal rows, oriented in a pattern of zigzag lines. The zigzag lines alternate between red, white, and black. The horizontal edges are finished with alternating red and white. Sinew binds the fringe at either end. The strap or belt has been tentatively dated to the 18th or early 19th century. Although the maker and exact region of origin are unrecorded, it is believed to be of Great Lakes origin.

This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: American
Date Made or Date Range: 1750-1810
Materials

quills and hide, sinew (binding the fringe)

Dimensions: 100 × 5.2 × 0 cm
Condition: there are several repairs to slits in the netting, done with vegetable fibre
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The approximation of this time period is a reflection of the technique used, according to GRASAC researcher notes.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: N N 458
GKS Reference Number: 24429
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Netted quillwork strap or belt. GRASAC ID: 24429. National Museum of Ireland Collection N N 458.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on July 4, 2024. It draws on notes from the GRASAC Research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 22 2010. The participants included Alan Corbiere, Ruth Phillips, Crystal Migwans, Nicholas Stolle, assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby.