awl

awl

awl

top image
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Date Made or Date Range: 1870
Materials

deer antler, iron

Techniques or Format

Awl with short, thick, iron point and deer antler handle.

Motifs and Patterns

Distal end of handle carved as human lower leg and foot. Handle has engraved ornamentation of hatches and small dots emulating tattoo decoration.

Additional Context

The markings probably tattoos.

Other Notes

Victor Kishigo of LTBBO (Indian Hills Trading Co.) told DP that this style of awl was used for making quillboxes.

Dimensions: 5.125 × 1.875 × 0 in
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 81.280
Collection at Current Location: Chandler Pohrt Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1981
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Richard A. Pohrt
Collection Narratives and Histories

Chandler went to Walpole Island after 1925, probably early 1930s. Cranbrook Institute has the majority of Chandler Walpole Island collection.

GKS Reference Number: 25947
Approximate Place of Origin

42.5602, -82.4973