Materials

Buckskin, red and brown glass beads.

Additional Context

Autumn Epple theorizes that the beadwork represents important Haudenosaunee creation and epic symbols. Circular beadwork in the centre of design, between two trees, represents the Sky Dome, known as the celestial representation of the human world, the other side, and the dark place. It is also the place the Sky Woman fell from. Sky Woman's mother, the moon, is seen on the right side, and her brother, the sun, is on the left. They are surrounded by stars.

Dimensions: 85 × 12.3 × 0.5 cm

Condition: Good.

Current Location: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge, MA, USA

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 49-10-10/29429

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1949

Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Exchange with Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences; Intermediary: William A. Ritchie.

Related language items in the GKS: mshkimot

GKS Reference Number: 58907

How to Cite this Item

Image © President and Fellows of Harvard College, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 49-10-10/29429

Record Creation Context

Record created by Autumn Epple GRASAC RA May 28, 2021.