Loomwork

Loomwork

Loomwork

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Introduction

This loomwork was created with cotton thread and seed beads. The item was cut apart and appears to have been sewn to something else with black thread. The designs include classic ottertail, X and diamond pattern in center with colors that were all greasy shades of dusty rose, yellow, green, turquoise, white, and black. Item was likely made in the 1870s among Anishinaabe and later accessioned in 1954 by the Missouri Historical Society.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Nation of Origin

(Ojibwa/Chippewa)

Date Made or Date Range: 1870s
Materials

Cotton thread. Black threads remnants from being sewed onto something else, not original. Size 10/11 seed beads: (all greasy) background of dusty rose, yellow, green, turquoise , white, black.

Techniques or Format

Loom-woven. Appears to have been cut in the middle (possibly straight continuation from piece to piece with only 2 bead rows missing), and cut off on the edges (possible tassels before they were cut off?)

Motifs and Patterns

Classic ottertail along edges. X and diamond pattern in center. One of the terminal ends has a clear variation in pattern along the X shape (diamond/cross instead of large yellow shapes).

Dimensions: 10 × 3.75 × 0 in
Condition: Loose beads, overall fragile.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

X and diamond geometric patterns typical of Ojibwa designs of the 1870s.

Current Location: Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: X14837
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1954
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Missouri Historical Society
GKS Reference Number: 24596
Approximate Place of Origin

43.0612, -78.4489

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