model canoe

model canoe

model canoe

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Introduction

A model canoe made of birch bark and decorated by quillwork. Mi'kmaq. Probably collected by Father Edward Purbrick in 1879 and donated to Stonyhurst College. One of several items purchased by the British Museum from Stonyhurst College in 2003.

Nation of Maker: Other
Nation of Origin

The style is characteristic of the Mi'kmaq.

Date Made or Date Range: Early 19 C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Created from information in the British Museum object catalogue.

Materials

Birch bark; root; porcupine quills, white, and dyed light blue, reddish-brown and black.

Techniques or Format

Made of birch bark and root and decorated with porcupine quillwork.

Motifs and Patterns

A central diamond with chevrons emanating from both sides. Two horizontal rows of attached diamonds on the bottom.

Dimensions: 44 × 12 × 10 cm
Condition: Good. Some quills are broken.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Date range estimated by the GRASAC research team. The British Museum accession record estimates c.1820 as the date of manufacture.

Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Am2003,19.1
Collection at Current Location: Purbrick Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 2003
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Stonyhurst College
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1879
Collection Narratives and Histories

Probably collected by Father Edward Purbruck in 1879 and doanted to Stonyhurst College. One of several items purchased by the British Museum from Stonyhurst College in 2003.

Exhibition History

July 2004 to October 2004 - "Native American Art: Irish American Trade," Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

GKS Reference Number: 25811
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Mi'kmaq artist, model canoe. Currently in the British Museum, Am2003,19.1. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 25811.

Record Creation Context

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).

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Researchers present: Heidi Bohaker (HB), John Borrows (JB), Lindsay Borrows (LB), Darlene Johnston (DJ), Jonathan King (JK), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Bruce Morito (BM), Ruth Phillips (RP), Cory Willmott (CW).

Approximate Place of Origin

42.7, -92.2

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