knife sheath

knife sheath

knife sheath

top image
Images
Introduction

A knife sheath made of blackened hide decorated with a row of small metal cones with animal hair and porcupine quills in geometric motifs. Attributed to the Menomini, made between 1820-1850. Purchased by the museum from A. Hakbijl in 1868.

Nation of Maker: Menomini
Nation of Origin

Museum documentation

Date Made or Date Range: 1820/1850
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC generated

Materials

black dyed skin; porcupine quills; metal cones; remnants of dyed animal hair; sinew(?); cotton tape; glass beads

Techniques or Format

The sheath is made of black dyed hide sewn with sinew. The body of the sheath tapers into a scalloped end. The front panel is decorated with a row of small metal cones with remnants of dyed animal hair, and porcupine quills applied in rows of zigzag band and designs in simple line technique. The top of the front panel is edged with white glass beads at the sheath opening. The back portion of the sheath is decorated with a line of possibly porcupine quillwork(?), edged with white glass beads, and extends above the front panel into two points. Ends of the cotton tape strap are sewn to the back of the two points.

Motifs and Patterns

Diagonal lines, three concentric diamond shapes and one concentric triangle shape.

Dimensions: 26.5 × 9 × 0 cm
Condition: Much of the quillwork is missing, cones and animal hair missing.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Museum documentation

Current Location: Museum Volkenkunde, Leiden, Netherlands
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 91-34
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1868
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: A. Hakbijl
Collection Narratives and Histories

Purchased from A. Hakbijl in 1868

GKS Reference Number: 24387
Approximate Place of Origin

46.2, -90.9

Source of Information about Places

Museum documentation

Do You Have Knowledge to Contribute? Share with Us.