mkak, box, birchbark

mkak, box, birchbark

mkak, box, birchbark

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Introduction

This Anishinaabe mkak (box) is made from birchbark and sewn together with thread. It was collected in Northern Michigan by Amos H. Gottschall between 1871 and 1905. His collection was likely left to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANS) sometime before 1937. ANS formally gifted the collection to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1997, where it currently resides. 

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Ojibwe
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Gottschall describes it as "Chippewa" (Ojibwe) in his catalogue.

Place of Origin: Michigan (Northern Michigan), USA
Date Made or Date Range: before 1905
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

The information in this record is based on museum documentation.

Materials

second growth birchbark; birchbark; natural porcupine quills; white thread; wooden splint, possibly ash; thicker cotton thread; cedar or basswood twine

Techniques or Format

The inside of the box is birchbark, while the outer part is made of second growth birch bark. The lid also has an outer layer of second growth birchbark. A splint has been attached to the rims of both the box and lid. The top had two cedar or basswood twine hinges which would have attached to the box. The front of the lid has a length of twine attached to it, possibly missing a tassel, which would have functioned as a latch. There is a hole on the front of the box with a bit of remaining thread, which would have tied to the twine on the lid.

Dimensions: 19 × 12.4 × 9.5 cm
Condition: This relative is in poor condition. The twine attaching the lid to the box has broken and there is some quill loss.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Gottschall collected between 1871 and 1905.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 97-84-117 (museum number); L-84-117 (old museum number); 18012 (ANS number); I 1660 (Gottschall number)
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/75709
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1997
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Gift of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1997
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1871 to 1905
Collection Narratives and Histories

This relative was collected in Northern Michigan by Amos H. Gottschall between 1871 and 1905. His collection was likely left to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANS) sometime before 1937. ANS formally gifted the collection to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1997, where it currently resides.

Publication History

Gottschall, Amos H. Priced and Descriptive Catalogue of the Utensils, Implements, Weapons, Ornaments, Etc., of the Indians, Mound Builders, Cliff Dwellers: Typical Collections No. 1. 1909. (See: I 1660)

GKS Reference Number: 25496
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark. GRASAC ID 25496. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-117.

Record Creation Context

Visit to University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 6 2010.
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on August 16, 2024.

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