ga:hǫhsraˀ, cradleboard

ga:hǫhsraˀ, cradleboard

ga:hǫhsraˀ, cradleboard

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Introduction

This is a Hodenosaunee ga:hǫhsraˀ or cradleboard from the Six Nations of the Grand River. A Great Tree of Peace motif is carved on the outer surface of the foot board. It was likely part of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo (1901) and was acquired by Robert Stewart Culin from people the Buffalo Exposition. Culin was a curator at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and led several expeditions for merchant, John Wanamaker. In 1901, it entered the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology's collection, where it currently resides. 

Name of Maker(s): Maker Unrecorded
Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

This nation attribution is based on museum documentation.

Place of Origin: Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
Date Made or Date Range: Before 1901
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

The information in this record is based on museum documentation.

Materials

wood; native tanned thong; eight screws.

Techniques or Format

Made of wood. Metal screws secure the foot board and hoop to the main board. The native tanned thong binds the hoop to the board. It is decorated with motifs carved into the board.

Motifs and Patterns

Carved in the wood, there are diamonds and the Great Tree of Peace. The tree is a symbol within the Haudenosaunee nations which symbolizes nurturing peace.

Dimensions: 61 × 24 × 25 cm
Condition: The condition is good.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

This cradleboard was collected during John Wanamaker's expedition in 1901.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 38507
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/91306
Collection at Current Location: Stewart Culin Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1901
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: This relative was acquired during the Pan-American Exposition; Wanamaker Expedition / R. Stewart Culin, in 1901.
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1901
Collection Narratives and Histories

This relative was likely part of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo (1901) and was acquired by Robert Stewart Culin from people the Buffalo Exposition. Culin was a curator at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and led several expeditions for merchant, John Wanamaker. In 1901, it entered the Penn Museum's collection, where it currently resides.

Source for Provenance information

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

GKS Reference Number: 24741
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Ga:hǫhsraˀ, cradleboard. GRASAC ID 24741. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 38507.

Record Creation Context

This information was gathered during a GRASAC site research visit by Alan Corbiere, David Penney, Stacey Loyer, Ruth Phillips and William Wierzbowski (curator) on December 2, 2009.
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on February 22, 2025.

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