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

This Anishinaabe mkak (box) is made from wiigwaas (birchbark) with a floral 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; beige thread; split root (purplish); ash splint; porcupine quills natural and green, pink, purple, orange, red and blue; beige thread
Made of birchbark. The root has been sewn on to the box with quills at regular intervals, with double tacks on the upper line of root. On the lid, the quilled criss crosses along the edge do not cover the beige threads fully.
The kaawyikewin (in orange, pink, purple, blue, white, and green) is done in a floral design.
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 1675)
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark. GRASAC ID 26202. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-146A & 97-84-146B.
This information was gathered during a research visit to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 6, 2010.
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on December 6, 2024.