Pipe bowl

Pipe bowl

Pipe bowl

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Introduction

This relative, a black stone pipe bowl, includes lead inlay in the 'Mi'kmaq' style, which was also used by the Cree. Although the origins of this pipe bowl are not certain, it was collected by British Army officer Jasper Grant between 1800 and 1809 during his military service in Canada. Evidence suggests that this pipe bowl has been used.

This relative currently resides in the National Museum of Ireland.

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

This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984.

Date Made or Date Range: 1800-1809
Materials

Black stone; lead inlay

Techniques or Format

lead inlay around the top with elongated triangles terminating in circles extending down at the four quarters of the rim, a horizontal inlay of lead across stone base and a lead base with side brackets at bottom

Motifs and Patterns

"Mi'kmaq type"' with inward tapering bowl

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 11 cm
Condition: has been smoked
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Jasper Grant served as commandant of Fort George in the Niagara Peninsula and of Fort Malden at Amherstburg opposite Detroit from 1800-1809.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1902.363
Collection at Current Location: Jasper Grant Collection
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Jasper Grant's grandson, Robert Ussher, donated the collection to the National Museum of Ireland in 1902.
Collection Narratives and Histories

Jasper Grant (1762-1812), Anglo-Irish officer who spent 9 years in Canada between 1800-1809. Served as commandant of Fort George in the Niagara Peninsula and of Fort Malden at Amherstburg opposite Detroit. It is likely that his wife, Isabella Grant, played a significant role in the collection of items given her close relationship to Madeline Askin Richardson, the daughter of a prominent fur trader and merchant with extensive ties to the surrounding Indigenous communities.

Source for Provenance information

GRASAC research notes and National Museum of Ireland records.

Exhibition History

In 1984-1985 the Jasper Grant Collection was featured in a special travelling exhibition for the Ontario bicentennial, which was organized by the McMichael Canadian Collection and entitled "Patterns of Power."

Publication History

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg,On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

Sources to Learn More

Philips, Ruth B. (1986-87). “Jasper Grant and Edward Walsh: the Gentleman-Soldier as Early Collector of Great Lakes Indian Art.” Journal of Canadian Studies 21(4): 56-71.

GKS Reference Number: 26598
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Pipe bowl. GRASAC ID: 26598. National Museum of Ireland Collection, 1902.363.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on November 11, 2024. It was informed by notes and images collected during the GRASAC research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 22, 2010. Participants included Ruth Phillips, Alan Corbiere, Rachel Hand, Crystal Migwans, and Nikolaus Stolle who were assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby.

Approximate Place of Origin

42.107, -83.1132

Source of Information about Places

This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984. Fort Malden is identified on the map as a possible origin for this relative, but this reflects only one place where the relative may have lived. It is not a known place of origin; it is only one location associated with where the collector, Jasper Grant, served in the British Army. 

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