pipe stem

pipe stem

pipe stem

top image
Images
Introduction

This ancestor is a pipe stem made of ash, ribbon, and woodpecker scalp. The stem's twisted pattern is carved, rather than steamed and twisted. The pipe stem's upper section has a carved spiral section, and is painted blue and red. The lower section is flat, with a raised centre. Silk ribbon is tied at the centre of the stem and wrapped around woodpecker scalp, attached through two parallel rectangular holes. This ancestor is currently located at the Detroit Institute of Arts. 

 

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Place of Origin: Michigan, USA
Date Made or Date Range: 1830
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Information from this entry comes from David Penney's 1992 "Art of the American Indian Frontier: The Chandler Pohrt Collection"

Materials

Carved ash with silk ribbon and woodpecker scalp

Techniques or Format

According to Curator David Penney, this stem was carved, rather than steamed and twisted.

Motifs and Patterns

Carved pipe stem is divided into two sections; lower half is flat; upper half is carved into a spiral with one surface painted blue, the other red. Silk ribbon tied at center through two parallel, rectangular pierced holes.

Dimensions: 49.5 × 2 × 2 in
Current Location: Detroit Institute of Arts, MI, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 81.45
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://dia.org/collection/pipe-stem-37663
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1981
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Richard A. Pohrt
Collection Narratives and Histories

Formerly in the collection of: Arthur Charlesworth, Flint, Michigan

purchased by Richard A. Pohrt [1911-2005] (Flint, Michigan, USA)

1981-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

Sources to Learn More

The Art of the Great Lakes Indians. Exhibition catalogue, Flint Institute of Arts. Flint, MI, 1973, no. 67.

GKS Reference Number: 25675
Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Natasha Fares on February 5th, 2024. The photographs were removed by Natasha Fares on February 5th, 2024 to respect an agreement between the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Michigan Anishinaabeg Communities of Practice group.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

This item was not discussed by GRASAC team members during their on site visit to the DIA, May 2010.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.7918, -84.2994

Do You Have Knowledge to Contribute? Share with Us.