mkak, box, birchbark
mkak, box, birchbark
mkak, box, birchbark

This Anishinaabe mkak (box) is made from wiigwaas (birchbark) with a design made from kaawyikewin (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.
Gottschall's catalogue lists the nation as "Ottawa."
The information in this record is based on museum documentation.
Read More About This Relative
birchbark; sweetgrass; black thread; porcupine quills natural and dyed green, yellow, orange, purple, and pink.
From Penn Museum database: "Birchbark. Generally oblong with convex sides, raised on scalloped feet; flat lid; two plaited handles and tassels."
These dates are based on Gottschall's collecting activities.
Provenance
This relative 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.
Gottschall, Amos H. Priced and Descriptive Catalogue of the Utensils, Implements, Weapons, Ornaments, Etc., of the Indians, Mound Builders, Cliff Dwellers: Typical Collections No. 1. 1909. (See: I 1667)
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark. GRASAC ID 26157. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-106A & 97-84-106B.
This information was gathered during a research visit to the 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 December 6, 2024.