ceremonial bag; otter bag

ceremonial bag; otter bag

ceremonial bag; otter bag

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Introduction

A ceremonial or sacred bag made from a whole otter hide with fur, feet and tail. The museum's record indicates there is a connection to tobacco with the bag. The bag is decorated with a rare four-quill diamond pattern down the center of the tail. The pattern is bordered by "zig-zag" folded quills that are orange and white, and a "serpentine" edging of twisted quills that are purple and white. The porcupine quillwork is sewn with sinew onto pieces of tanned deer hide attached to the four feet, the anus, and the tail of the otter. There are iron tinklers filled with hair and red wool.

Name of Maker(s): Anonymous Sauk?;Yankton artist
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Peabody Museum Catalogue record.

Date Made or Date Range: 1800-1825
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Peabody Museum catalogue record. GRASAC research assistant meeting Nov 26, 2021, with information contributed by Sheila Wheesk and Lisa Owl.

Materials

Fur, Otter hide, Porcupine quill, Sinew, Glass, Dye, Tin, Steel, Wool

Dimensions: 113.5 × 23 × 6 cm
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 99-12-10/53052
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1899
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Gift of the Heirs of David Kimball, 1899
Previous Collectors: David Kimball
GKS Reference Number: 58958
Approximate Place of Origin

43.3, -78.1