mkak, box, birchbark

mkak, box, birchbark

mkak, box, birchbark

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Introduction

This Anishinaabe mkak (box) is made from birchbark with a floral design made from quillwork. It was collected by Amos H. Gottschall between 1871 and 1905. His collection was likely left to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANS) sometime before 1937. ANS formally gifted the collection to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1997, where this relative currently resides. 

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Odawa
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

The label indicates this mkak is "Ottawa."

Place of Origin: Michigan (Northern Michigan), USA
Date Made or Date Range: before 1905
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

The information in this record is based on museum documentation.

Materials

birchbark; sweetgrass; black thread; porcupine quills natural and dyed green, red, light and dark pink.

Techniques or Format

A circular base of birchbark with a strip of birchbark attached to form the sides, with a flat circular top. All of the components were edged with sweetgrass bunches sewn with black thread before being assembled, and then sewn to each other with black thread. The lid is decorated with quillwork as well. All of the pieces have double-tacks with pink, green and natural quills. The lid is sewn to the side of the box where the edges of the panel making up the sides join. A strap made of braided sweetgrass is attached to either side with black thread, finished with double loops.

Motifs and Patterns

The red, pink, and green quillwork is done in floral motifs on the lid and sides.

Dimensions: 8.6 × 8.4 × 8 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

These dates are based on Gottschall's collecting activities.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 97-84-108A (box); 97-84-108B (box lid); L-84-108A-B (old museum numbers); 18108 (ANS number); II 287 (Gottschall number)
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/118786
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1997
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Gift of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1997
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1871-1905
Collection Narratives and Histories

It was collected by Amos H. Gottschall between 1871 and 1905. His collection was likely left to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANS) sometime before 1937. ANS formally gifted the collection to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1997, where this relative currently resides.

Publication History

Gottschall, Amos H. Priced and Descriptive Catalogue of the Utensils, Implements, Weapons, Ornaments, Etc., of the Indians, Mound Builders, Cliff Dwellers: Typical Collections No. 2. 1909. (See: II 287)

GKS Reference Number: 25842
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark. GRASAC ID 25842. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-108A & 97-84-108B.

Record Creation Context

Created during visit to University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 6 2010. The researchers present were: Adriana Greci-Green, Stacey Loyer, Coralie Boeykens.
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on October 24, 2024.

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