fan, feather

fan, feather

fan, feather

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Introduction

An Anishinaabe feather fan dating to the second half of the nineteenth century, with floral porcupine quill embroidery on both sides of the handle. Probably made for sale in the Victorian souvenir trade. Collector and date of collection unknown. Presently at the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Nation of Origin

Based on the style of quillwork on the fan's base.

Date Made or Date Range: 1850 to 1900
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.

Materials

birchbark; feathers; glue residue on feathers; porcupine quills, natural and dyed blue, orange and red; red silk ribbon.

Techniques or Format

The birchbark handle is made of two pieces, bound together along the edges with red silk ribbon. Porcupine quills have been inserted into the front. There are twenty four feathers inserted between the bark panels, forming the fan.

Motifs and Patterns

Floral.

Other Notes

The glue residue on the feathers suggests that something was attached to them.

Condition: Poor. There is a break across the handle, beneath ends of the quills.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Fans of this sort were made for sale as part of the Victorian tourist trade.

Current Location: Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Z 35162
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: unknown
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: unknown
Collection Narratives and Histories

Collector and date of collection unknown. Presently at Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

GKS Reference Number: 25342
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Anishinaabe artist, fan, feather. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Z 35162. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 25342.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a GRASAC research trip to Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 4-9 2009.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Participants: Trudy Nicks, Laura Peers, Alison Brown, Sherry Farrell-Racette, Rachel Hand, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, and Amber Berson.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.0703, -80.1184

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