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gshkibdaagan pouch
gshkibdaagan pouch
gshkibdaagan pouch
This relative is a rectangular black smoked hide pouch, gshkibdaagan, with quill work in orange (originally red), white, and black, and with tinkle cones with red-dyed hair along the bottom and at three points on the flap. It is created from a single piece of hide folded to create the front, back, and flap. There is no evident seam on the bottom or top of the pouch. The size of the quills and the folds are large and may indicate these are bird quills, rather than porcupine quills. The quillwork was completed in bands that were then sewn onto the bag. There are some patches where the original red colour of the quills shows. There is a strong contrast created from the black and white geometric design paired with the wavy, undulating edge of the flap. The diamond design is unusual for pouches and the interplay of the three bands of quill work invites interpretation. GRASAC researchers thought this pouch could be Odawa or Ojibwe.
This relative is currently housed at the Ethnologisches Museum Berlin, Germany.
Anishinaabe suggested by Arthur Speyer; Odawa or Ojibwe suggested by Alan Corbiere.
Museum records and GRASAC researcher notes.
Read More About This Relative
hide; quill (bird quill possible); tinkle cones; deer hair
Black smoked hide; single piece construction, folded to create the front, back and flap of the pouch; folded quills; quillwork done on bands and then the bands were attached to the bag; the tinkle cones have been attached in pairs with a thong passed through holes in the hide.
The wavy edge of the flap was identified by Alan Corbiere and Laura Peers as being more like a snake or serpent (and Indigenous motif) than a scalloped edge common in European designs, though a scallop design could have influenced the maker.
Alan Corbiere observed that the top and middle bands of quill work are typical, but the diamond design on the bottom band is less common on pouches; diamonds are more common on twined bags. Laura Peers observed that the quilling was completed in two different directions deliberately to make the pattern. Alan Corbiere noted that he hadn't seen a combination of three bands in this way, plus the three bands of three thin diagonal lines were uncommon, though it acts to join the middle and bottom bands. He wondered if the diagonal bands represented rain. He has heard that with diamond motifs, one diamond can represent fire; and in the context of woven bags that a diamond can represent a spirit power emanating out like a shell but he is uncertain if that would apply in this context. He thought the bottom band may be underwater, with rain coming down.
Alternatively, he wondered whether the three bands could be underwater, earth, and sky - but then the interpretation of the diagonal lines as rain doesn't make as much sense.
Speyer's assessment; Alan Corbiere and Laura Peers thought a date of late 18th century to early 19th century was likely, and Alan Corbiere thought a connection to Odawa or Ojibwe was possible.
Provenance
The Museum purchased the pouch from Speyer in 1970. The catalogue card identifies the collector ("Sammler") as the Earl of Warwick.
Museum documentation
About This GRASAC Record
Anishinaabe Maker, Name Unknown. Gshkibdaagan pouch. GRASAC ID 25803. Ethnologisches Museum Berlin, Catalogue Number IV-B-12851.
Created by Nikolaus Stolle during a research visit to the museum commissioned by Ruth Phillips and supported by her research funds.
The record was augmented by Cara Krmpotich on March 12, 2024 using research notes and photography done during a May 2019 GRASAC research visit including Cara Krmpotich, Alan Corbiere, Laura Peers, Maureen Matthews, with Hannah Turner and Charles Feaver as photographers.