ceremonial leggings worn by Chief John Tecumseh Henry

ceremonial leggings worn by Chief John Tecumseh Henry

ceremonial leggings worn by Chief John Tecumseh Henry

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Introduction

Black wool and cotton cloth leggings with ribbonwork applique and Onkwehonwe style beadwork worn by Anishinaabe Chief John Tecumseh Henry to meet the Prince of Wales in 1860 (worn with coat HK 901). Motifs found in beadwork and ribbonwork include variants of the double curve, and otter-tail. Dr. Oronhyatekha Ethnology collection.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

John Tecumseh Henry was Anishinaabe, the beadwork has Onkwehonwe styles

Place of Origin: Munsey, ON
Date Made or Date Range: 1860
Materials

Black woolen cloth of a lower quality with cotton warp. Size 9 clear seed beeds, silk ribbon in purple and (now faded) pink, light green, cream linen thread

Techniques or Format

Leggings fitted to the leg shape with a flared lower corner (typical of Onkwehonwe). Leggings are not lined, so that the stiching can be seen on the inside. Seams are hand sewn. and there is a little bit of piecing on both top outer edges to to provde width needed for flare over hip. Ribbon work is continuous around the bottom hem, the front continues same otter tail motif as the cuff, but the back vertical edges are one uncut strip of purple ribbon, at top of this edging ends of ribblon are allowed to hand down in loose tassels or fringes

Motifs and Patterns

spiral beadwork motifs in variation of double curve motif, ribbonwork applique is a variant of otter-tail motif, double petal motif

Other Notes

The beadwork looks very similar to Onkwehonwe beadwork of the 19th and 20th centuries (see, for example, the Frank Speck samples of beadwork patterns collected at Allegheny (Seneca) in New York State c 1940)

The two leggings are slightly different in dimensions

Dimensions: 89 × 32.5 × 0 cm
Condition: Very good. ribbon is faded but largely intact. Cloth in very good condition. Looks as though the ribbon ends once extended at bottom as well, now broken off. Extend only about 1/2 inch now
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Worn in 1860 with coat 911.3.120, HK 901 to meet the Prince of Wales, likely the outfit was made for the occasion

Current Location: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 911.3.109, HD 6283/2
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1911
Publication History

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independent Order of Foresters, 1904), p 24,

Item 78. "Ceremonial Beaded Leggings with silk border, worn by Chief John Tecumseh Henry."

GKS Reference Number: 1564
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, ceremonial leggings worn by Chief John Tecumseh Henry. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.109. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1564.

Record Creation Context

GRASAC research trip to ROM Dec 15-19, 2008. Members present:

GRASAC team research trip to the Royal Ontario Museum, Dec 15-19 2008, funded by SSHRC Aboriginal Research Grant. Participants: Heidi Bohaker, Alan Corbiere, Lewis Debassige, Anne De Stecher, Darlene Johnston, Stacey Loyer, Trudy Nicks, Ruth Phillips

Dec 16 Ethnology team that created this record consisted of Anne De Stecher, Trudy Nicks, Ruth Phillips, Cory Willmott, with the assistance of Tracey Forester

Approximate Place of Origin

45.8, -83.9

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