cradleboard

cradleboard

cradleboard

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Introduction

Haudenosaunee carved wooden cradleboard with notched top edge. Partially detached bow and missing back crossbar. Back of the cradleboard has been carved and painted in floral, possibly strawberries, and possibly dome or concentric semi-circular motifs. Mohawk from Akwesasne, St. Regis.

Name of Maker(s): Unknown Mohawk Artist
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee Mohawk
Nation of Origin

Mohawk

 

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Museum documentation

Place of Origin: Akwesasne
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation

Materials

wood, paint, patterned cotton ties, hide thong, metal screws

Techniques or Format

Backboard made of carved wood with notched top edge. Wooden bow is now partially detached, but appears to have been secured at one time with hide thongs strung through holes in the backboard and the bow. Ends of the bow are tapered and would have likely fit into corresponding holes in a wooden back crossbar which is now missing. Footboard is made of carved wood with squared edges and is attached to the backboard with metal screws. Back of the backboard has been carved and painted, and the front has been painted along the side edges in faded red.

Motifs and Patterns

Flowers, leaves, possibly strawberries, possibly dome or concentric semi-circle motifs in different colours.

Other Notes

Centre of the backboard has not been decorated - perhaps where baby wrappings would have covered a design(?)

Dimensions: 78.4 × 27.6 × 0 cm
Condition: Bow partially detached, back crossbar missing, paint faded. Top corner of wooden backboard has split and is held with cotton tie.
Current Location: Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Brown University
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 57-288
GKS Reference Number: 45048
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Mohawk Artist, cradleboard. HMA 57-288

Record Creation Context

Visit to Haffenreffer Museum of Alex Nahwegahbow and Wahsontiio Cross, assisted by Robert Preucel and Kevin Smith on 13 August 2015.

Approximate Place of Origin

45.00687, -74.65004

Source of Information about Places

Museum documentation.

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