Medicine bag fragment

Medicine bag fragment

Medicine bag fragment

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Introduction

This relative, a fragment of a ceremonial or sacred bag, is made of the head of an otter. Decoration includes red and black netted quillwork, including 9 rows at its widest point, 5 rows at its most narrow. There are five tassels at the end of the bag, which have tinned cones and animal hair on each (sinew?) tassel. The museum's records indicate that there is a connection to the Mandan of the Great Plains, although this information is inconclusive. As such, the origins of the relative are not certain; however, it has probable connections to the Great Lakes region.

This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.

Traditional Knowledge Label
TK Culturally Sensitive
TK Culturally Sensitive

This material has cultural and/or historical sensitivities

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: American
Date Made or Date Range: late 18th-early 19th century
Materials

head of an otter, fragment of skin with wrapped and netted quillwork, tin cones and animal hair (probably red dyed deer hair)

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 0 cm
Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: AE: 1898.205
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1898 or 1880
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Royal Dublin Society.
Collection Narratives and Histories

Royal Dublin Society. early 20th c printed exhibition label states "Charm, 'medicine, made from the head of an otter; with tassels of red hair. North American Indian, perhaps Mandan."

Source for Provenance information

GRASAC researcher notes from research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 23, 2010.

GKS Reference Number: 25889
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Medicine bag fragment. GRASAC ID: 25889. National Museum of Ireland, AE: 1898.205.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on August 13, 2024. It draws on information recorded during the GRASAC research trip to the National Museum of Ireland, on July 23, 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Ruth Phillips, Crystal Migwans, Nikolaus Stolle, and Rachel Head, who were assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Alan Corbiere looked at this item and photographed the quill ornament.

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