Belt Pouch

Belt Pouch

Belt Pouch

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Introduction

A belt pouch of an 18th century type possibly collected by Charles Alston Messiter during his trip to North America in 1862. Ornamented with porcupine quills in concentric squares, an equal armed cross, and wavy line motifs. Red deer hair and tin metal cones make up the fringes.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Date Made or Date Range: ca. late 18th century
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Lindy Baiani

Materials

unidentified animal skin, porcupine quills, organic dyes, possibly deer hair dyed red, possibly tin metal cones, and sinew

Techniques or Format

Made of two rectangular cloth of tanned hide sewn together. It is embroidered with porcupine quills in geometric motifs.It has a longitudinal slit of 10cm along the center of the pouch.The quills are applied using the zigzag band technique, edged with the simple line technique, and the pouch is bound together with a spot stitch technique. The fringes are made with the netted technique.

Motifs and Patterns

one side displays three concentric squares surrounding an equal armed cross. On other side are two sets of three opposed wavy lines.

Additional Context

The quill-work on the belt pouch depicts geometric motifs that probably symbolize a connection between the peoples of the Great Lakes region and the cosmic spirits. The wavy lines may symbolize the underworld and the cross motif central world axis and the four directions or the winds that blow from the four directions.

Condition: Some quills are faded, however the pouch is in a relatively good condition.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Similarities to belt pouches of that time period.

Current Location: Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa, Canada
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: III-X-375
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: April 24, 1982
Collection Narratives and Histories

This belt pouch may have been collected by Charles Alston Messiter during his trip to North America in 1862, described in his published journal "Sport and Adventures Amongst the North American Indians" (1890). It remained the property of the Messiter family until 1969. The Canadian Museum of Civilization purchased the belt pouch at auction from Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., New York in 1982.

Sources to Learn More

Feest, C. F. (2006). Slit Pouches of Eastern North America. American Indian Art Magazine, 31(2), 66-97.

GKS Reference Number: 24748
Record Creation Context

Research project by Lindy Baiani for ARTH 5210F (fall tern, academic year 2010-11) taught by Ruth Phillips at Carleton University and supported by Judy Hall from the Canadian Museum of Civilization

Record Creation Notes/Observations

The time limitation of the course prevented more extensive research.

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