Made of smooth, unsmoked hide, decorated with light and dark green, light and dark red, and blue silk embroidery floss, and lined with twill woven silk.

Two pieces of hide have been sewn together on one short edge. The lining and the hide have been sewn together with a button-hole stitch edging. Both sides of the needle case are decorated with embroidery.

Strawberry plant and fruit motifs are found on one side and wild raspberry or blackberry plant and fruit motifs decorate the other side.

The GRASAC research team noted that berries suggest a ceremonial significance, as berries are so important in ceremonies, especially for Anishinaabe women. They are related to the journey of the dead to the afterworld, for example. But just the motifs refer to items of ceremonial importance does not mean it was a ceremonial piece. AC related the use of such motifs to Christians using a nativiy scene as a decor item - they may be a spiritual "reminder" of sorts.

The GRASAC research team suggested the item was made for sale, because it shows no signs of use.

The GRASAC team noted that this is an interesting design.

The GRASAC research team estimates the date of manufacture to be in the nineteenth century.

In 1997, the British Museum found this needle case in their Americas collection, apparently unnumbered and unregistered. Date and means of acquisition, and acquisition details are unknown.

Unknown Métis artist, case, needle. Currently in the British Museum, AM1997,Q.497. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 27207.

This record was created as part of a Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures (GRASAC) research trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum and British Museum, December 8-22 2007, funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Researchers present: Heidi Bohaker (HB), John Borrows (JB), Lindsay Borrows (LB), Alan Corbiere (AC), Henrietta Lidchi (HL), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Bruce Morito (BM), Ruth Phillips (RP), Anne De Stecher (AS), Cory Willmott (CW).