Deer hide, blackened (smoked or dyed, possibly with black walnut); moosehair

The body is made of blackened, smoked or possibly brown dyed, deer skin. It is very dark and evenly coloured on both sides which suggests dying rather than smoking. It is made with drawstring construction. Each side of the pouch is composed of two panels sewn together horizontally (in other words the pocket extends all of the way to the fringe). The fringe is sewn between the seams of the two panels. The two panels are embroidered, with a different design on each side. Two thongs of hide have been inserted into a series of eyelits in the rim of the bag to form a drawstring. It is high on the virtuosity scale.

The moosehair embroidery is in stylized floral motifs, with multicolored cross hatching. The motifs are in curvilinear organic shapes in balanced designs. The pattern alternates between two colors, blue and pink-red. Elaborate scalloped lines form a border.

The 1820-1840 estimated range is based upon the style of the embroidered floral motifs. They are more stylized than known later pieces.

Acquired by the British Museum in 1921 from the Yorkshire Philosophical Society Museum.

See J.C.H. King, Thunderbird and Lightning BMP Ltd., 1982, p.65.

British Museum records.

Unknown Huron-Wendat artist, bag. Currently in the British Museum, AM1921,1014.100. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 24962.

This record was created as part of a Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures (GRASAC) research trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum and British Museum, December 8-22 2007, funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Researchers present: HB, RP, JM, CW, LP, AC, AS, SL.