Fringe, knee

Fringe, knee

Fringe, knee

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Introduction

This relative, a knee fringe or leg ornament, is composed of hide, porcupine quills, eagle and hawk feathers, as well as sinew. The quills have been designed in a zigzag band stitch pattern, including the following colours: yellow, blue, red, and orange. 44 eagle and hawk feathers have been adhered to the band, each dyed with a blue pigment. This relative was collected by British Army officer Jasper Grant between 1800-1809 while stationed in Canada. The origins and maker of this relative are not certain; however, it has probable connections to the Anishinaabe peoples.

This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Nation of Origin

A similar ornament was depicted in a watercolour made by Rudolf von Steiger.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984.

Date Made or Date Range: 1800-1809
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC researcher notes.

Materials

Hide; thongs; porcupine quills, yellow, blue, red, orange; 44 eagle feathers and hawk; blue pigment, sinew

Techniques or Format

quill work in zigzag band stitch

Dimensions: 69 × 0 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

This record draws on images and information recorded in Ruth Phillips's book, Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1902.340
Collection at Current Location: Jasper Grant Collection
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Jasper Grant's grandson, Robert Ussher, donated the collection to the National Museum of Ireland in 1902.
Collection Narratives and Histories

Jasper Grant (1762-1812), Anglo-Irish officer who spent 9 years in Canada between 1800-1809. Served as commandant of Fort George in the Niagara Peninsula and of Fort Malden at Amherstburg opposite Detroit. It is likely that his wife, Isabella Grant, played a significant role in the collection of items given her close relationship to Madeline Askin Richardson, the daughter of a prominent fur trader and merchant with extensive ties to the surrounding Indigenous communities.

Exhibition History

In 1984-1985 the Jasper Grant Collection was featured in a special travelling exhibition for the Ontario bicentennial, which was organized by the McMichael Canadian Collection and entitled "Patterns of Power."

Publication History

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg,On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

Sources to Learn More

Philips, Ruth B. (1986-87). “Jasper Grant and Edward Walsh: the Gentleman-Soldier as Early Collector of Great Lakes Indian Art.” Journal of Canadian Studies 21(4): 56-71.

GKS Reference Number: 24504
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Fringe, knee. GRASAC ID 24504. National Museum of Ireland Collection 1902.340.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on July 8, 2024. It draws on images and information recorded in Ruth Phillips's book, Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984, and GRASAC researcher notes from the research trip to the National Museum of Ireland, on July 21, 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Bhnens Corbiere, Crystal Migwans, Nikolaus Stolle, Rachel Hand, and Ruth Phillips assisted by Padraig Clancy.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.0703, -80.1184

Source of Information about Places

Six Nations of the Grand River is identified on the map as a possible origin for this relative, but this reflects only one place where the relative may have lived. It is not a known place of origin; it is only one location associated with where the collector, Jasper Grant, served in the British Army. 

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