handle, for a crooked knife

handle, for a crooked knife

handle, for a crooked knife

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Introduction

A Hodenosaunee wooden handle for a crooked knife, carved in the shape of a fist, with a mirror inlay. Collected by Caspar W. Whitney. Given to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology by Mrs. Morgan Wing in 1942.

Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Date Made or Date Range: before 1900
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation.

Materials

wood; mirror; commercial string; black pigment.

Techniques or Format

Carved from a piece of wood. A square mirror has been inlaid into the top of the hand, below which is engraved "S.A." Decorative motifs have been carved on both sides of the hand. The upper part is wrapped with commercial string. The handle has been made for a right-handed person.

Motifs and Patterns

A hand in a fist. One side is decorated with a carved motif of a running horse. The other has a heart with hatched relief around it. The initials "S.A." are carved below the mirror, on the top of the hand.

Original and Subsequent Uses

This item was a handle for a crooked knife.

Dimensions: 16.8 × 4.1 × 7.8 cm
Condition: There is a burn mark by the mirror. The knife's blade is missing.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The collector, Caspar Whitney, traveled to Northern regions of Canada and the United States in the late 1800s.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 42-30-54
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1942
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: gift of Mrs. Morgan Wing
Collection Narratives and Histories

Collected by the American journalist Caspar W. Whitney. Given to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology by Mrs. Morgan Wing in 1943.

GKS Reference Number: 26793
Record Creation Context

GRASAC research visit by David Penney, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, William Wierzbowski, December 3, 2009

Approximate Place of Origin

43.3, -78.1

Source of Information about Places

Museum documentation.

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