Materials

birchbark; porcupine quills natural and dyed yellow, red, possibly purple (?); possibly spruce root(?); brown thread

Techniques or Format

This container is made of birchbark decorated with quillwork. Possibly spruce root(?) is secured with brown thread along the bottom of the lid to form a trim. Separate pieces of birchbark line the inside of both of the lid and body. The quillwork on the body of the container only goes up half-way along the sides, allowing the lid to fit securely over top.

Motifs and Patterns

The lid of the quillbox has a six-pointed star, or possibly a six-petalled flower(?) with a yellow centre against a natural birchbark background. Six crosses radiate between each of the six star or flower points.

Additional Context

"The scalloped circle formed by the decorative border on the lid [...] resembles motifs found in other media that represent the sun, the supreme power of the cosmos," (See: Pieter Hovens, with contributions by Duane Anderson, Ted Brasser, Laura van Broekhoven et al. "The Ten Kate Collection 1882-1888". Leiden: ZKF Publishers, 2010.)

Other Notes

It appears that the birchbark lining on the inside of the lid was added as the artist was working. The back of the quillwork of the star or flower is hidden by the lining, while the scalloped border and six cross designs are worked through it. Perhaps the quilled crosses were added later to better secure, or flatten the design to the interior liner(?)

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 7.5 cm

Condition: Fair. Some quillwork missing, it also appears that the dyes have faded significantly, it is difficult to tell what their original colours may have been.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Museum documentation

Current Location: Museum Volkenkunde, Leiden, Netherlands

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 362-9

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1883

Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Herman ten Kate

Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: ca. 1880

Collection Narratives and Histories

Collected by Herman ten Kate ca. 1880. Purchased from Herman ten Kate in 1883.

Publication History

Pieter Hovens, with contributions by Duane Anderson, Ted Brasser, Laura van Broekhoven et al. "The Ten Kate Collection 1882-1888". Leiden: ZKF Publishers, 2010.

GKS Reference Number: 27051