Mitts

Mitts

Mitts

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Introduction

A pair of blackened hide mitts decorated with moose-hair embroidery. Remnants on the bottom of the gloves suggest they were once trimmed with fur. Made by a Huron-Wendat or Cree artist, probably in the late 18th century. In the collections of the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow. Donor unknown.

Nation of Maker: Cree Eeyou (Eastern James Bay Quebec Cree) Maskêkowiyiniwak (Swampy Cree) Mushkegowuk (Western James Bay Cree) Omushkego (Winisk-Swampy Cree) Huron-Wendat
Nation of Origin

The museum documentation lists both Cree and Huron as possible nations of origin.

Date Made or Date Range: 1770s to 1790s
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Taken from the catalogue card description (CW).

Materials

Black-smoked hide; moose-hair dyed cream, orange and blue; linen or cotton thread; ochre or red paint.

Techniques or Format

The mittens have a set-in thumb and evidence of band of fur or trim at the cuffs, now entirely missing. The front face of each has a decoration of curvilinear design embroidered in orange, blue and cream. The motifs are formed by applique or couching rather than by true embroidery (the moosehair is tacked down with thread or sinew.

Motifs and Patterns

Curvilinear designs.

Dimensions: 23 × 11.8 × 0 cm
Condition: Fair. There is some water damage at the fingertips caused by a flood inside the case in or around 2004.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The museum's record states that R. L. Stolper has assessed the date of these as late 18th century.

Current Location: Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow, Scotland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: GLAHM E.105
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: unknown
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: unknown
Collection Narratives and Histories

Collection history unknown

GKS Reference Number: 25623
How to Cite this Item

Item to be cited by catalog number, collection and institution.

Record Creation Context

This record was created during a GRASAC research visit to The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, April 2007.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

On-site researchers: Cory Willmott, Laura Peers, Ruth Phillips, Keith Jamieson, Alan Corbiere, Sally-Ann Coupar.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.6, -71.9

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