cup or vase, birchbark

cup or vase, birchbark

cup or vase, birchbark

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Introduction

A Huron-Wendat birchbark cup or vase with embroidered motifs in moosehair. The presence of aniline dye dates it to about 1860-1900. Motifs are flowers, berries, leaves and stems. Collector and date of collection unknown. Presently in the collection at Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Nation of Maker: Huron-Wendat
Nation of Origin

Based on the style of embroidery.

Date Made or Date Range: 1860 to 1900
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.

Materials

birchbark; moosehair, natural and dyed magenta, green, and yellow; black thread.

Techniques or Format

The cup is made of single piece of birchbark with separate base and liner. The top and bottom edges are bound with bundled hairs or quills tacked down with black thread. Through a technique of hair insertion into the birchbark, purple flowers or berries are formed, some using a knotted stitch.

Motifs and Patterns

Flowers, stems, berries.

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 10 cm
Condition: Good. Some hairs are missing from the top rim.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Based on the use of aniline dye (magenta), invented in the 1850s, and stylistic characteristics of the embroidery.

Current Location: Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Z 35132
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: unknown
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: unknown
GKS Reference Number: 26276
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Huron-Wendat artist, cup or vase, birchbark. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Z 35132. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 26276.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a GRASAC research trip to Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 4-9 2009.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Researchers present: Trudy Nicks, Stacey Loyer, Ruth Phillips, and Rachel Hand.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.7918, -84.2994

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