club, gunstock

club, gunstock

club, gunstock

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Introduction

A gunstock club with serpent and zig zag motifs on the handle. A carved thunderbird at the head of the club wears chiefly belts diagonally across its body. Donated to the British Museum in 1869 by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Nation of Origin

See above.

Date Made or Date Range: Mid 18 C to Early 19 C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Created from information in the British Museum object catalogue (SL). Also, from on site examination and discussion, details captured in photographs (CW).

Materials

Wood, iron.

Techniques or Format

The club is made of wood, with an iron piece at the top. It is carved and incised.

Motifs and Patterns

The handle has a line of zig zag motifs with cross-hatching infilling the triangular portions, suggesting mountains. There are relatively realistic-looking serpent motifs on both sides of the stem under the joint where the metal point juts out. The club head is carved as the head and body of an eagle or Thunderbird with a pair of incised belts (possibly wampum belts or other form of loomed beadwork as the checkered cross-hatching may suggest) worn diagonally across front and back of its body, as well as a choker worn around its neck.

Dimensions: 67 × 17.5 × 0 cm
Condition: Good.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Autumn Epple estimates, based on style and materials, that the object dates between 1760 and 1800.

Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Am.5408
Collection at Current Location: Christy Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1869
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks
Collection Narratives and Histories

Donated to the British Museum in 1869 by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks. Collected by Wareham.

Exhibition History

"Thunderbird and Lightning" exhibition.

Comment on Source of Exhibition & Publication Data

British Museum catalogue record.

GKS Reference Number: 26228
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Anishinaabe artist, club, gunstock. Currently in the British Museum, Am.5408. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 26228.

Record Creation Context

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).

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Researchers present: Heidi Bohaker (HB), John Borrows (JB), Lindsay Borrows (LB), Darlene Johnston (DJ), Jonathan King (JK), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Bruce Morito (BM), Ruth Phillips (RP), Cory Willmott (CW).

Approximate Place of Origin

45.6426, -85.036