deconstructed basket

deconstructed basket

deconstructed basket

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Introduction

Deconstructed basket made of birchbark with porcupine quillwork in floral motifs, with green silk ribbon edging. The materials used make up a plate with eight side pieces and one bottom piece. Collected by Martin Pitzer, this item is currently housed at the Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria.

Name of Maker(s): Unknown Wendat artist
Nation of Maker: Huron-Wendat
Nation of Origin

According to an assessment by Ruth Phillips during a GRASAC visit to the Weltmuseum Wien, the basket is associated with the Wendat people. Autumn Epple agrees and theorizes based on design and materials, it is may be associated with the Wendat community of Wendake (formerly Lorette), who were known for their crafting.

Date Made or Date Range: Before 1854
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC research notes created during an onsite visit to Weltmuseum in January of 2016.

Materials

Birchbark, porcupine quills, green silk ribbon edging, cotton thread.

Techniques or Format

Used to be a plate with 8 side pieces and one bottom piece; 4 floral motifs, opposing panels are of the same motifs.

Motifs and Patterns

Floral motifs.

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 0 cm
Condition: Good, panels broken at seams in pairs of two.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Martin Pitzer collected this item; he travelled to the Great Lakes region in the 1850s.

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 131764
Collection at Current Location: Martin Pitzer Collection
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1850s
Previous Collectors: Martin Pitzer
Collection Narratives and Histories

Austrian church painter Martin Pitzer travelled to the Great Lakes region, to "the Ottawa villages of Arbre Croche and Cross Village" in the early 1850s. He collected a significant number of items and brought them back to Austria to be part of an exhibition to raise money for the mission.

GKS Reference Number: 59048
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Wendat artist, basket. Currently in the Weltmuseum Wien, Vienna, Austria, 131764. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip January 2016; GRASAC item id 59048.

Record Creation Context

In January of 2016, a small team of GRASAC researchers visited the collection to study and photograph it: Ruth Phillips, Lisa Truong, Naomi Recollet (Anishinaabe (Odawa/Ojibwe), Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory) and Wahsontiio Cross (Mohawk, Kahnawake). This GKS record was created in January of 2022 by GRASAC RA Aidan Mitchell-Boudreau.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.6, -71.9