Wool yarn, red and green; beads, white glass; commercial thread, black

Finger weaving technique

4 rows of zigzags or arrowheads

Garters and armbands were part of the Indigenous Woodlands costume although it seems likely that the use of the wide woven sash was adapted from European folk dress. European wool yarn and unravelled blanket yarn had largely replaced traditional vegetable fibres by 1800 in the central and eastern Great Lakes region.

Notes from Ruth Phillips's book, Patterns of Power (1984): Woodland Indians were adept at a variety of braiding or finger weaving techniques, which they used to create sases, garters, armbands, straps and a variety of other woven objects. Garters and armbands were part of the aboriginal Woodlands costume although it seems likely that the use of the wide woven sash was adapted from European folk dress. European wool yarn and unravelled blanket yarn had largely replaced traditional vegetable fibres by 1800i in the central and eastern Great Lakes region. The 'arrow pattern' used in the type of sash known as the ceinture flechée has been primarily associated with sashes made by Quebecois weavers worn as art of the typical costume of voyageurs, settlers and sportsmen.

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.

GRASAC researcher notes from research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 21, 2010.

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."

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

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.

Maker, Name unrecorded. Armbands. GRASAC ID: 25927. National Museum of Ireland 1902.314-315

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on October 1, 2024. It draws on information and images collected during a GRASAC Research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 22, 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Ruth Phillips, Crystal Migwans, and Nicholas Stolle who were assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby.