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










This rectagular 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; porcupine quills, natural and dyed purple, yellow, pink, green, orange; split root (cedar or spruce); beige thread; ash splint.
Lid: the top and sides are attached together with beige thread. Thin split cedar or spruce root lies under the quill criss-cross edging. The bottom edge of the lid has a line of split root lashed with thinner split root. A row of chained diamonds in purple quills decorates the sides of the lid. The outer piece is tacked together at the side with natural porcupine quills. It is also sewn to the insert with thread.
Natural quills have been used to tack down the lid and on the base.
Box: The box has an insert (horizontal grain) made from a different type of birchbark than the outer layer (vertical grain). The rim of the insert is reinforced by an ash splint sewn down with beige thread. The outer layer is edged on the top and bottom with split root tacked down with porcupine quills (natural) on the top, as well as on the bottom. The bottom was also sewn down first with beige thread, with the tacking over top.
Rectangular form with rounded corners.
The kaawyikewin is done in floral motifs and chained diamonds.
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 1676)
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark. GRASAC ID 26472. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-129A & 97-84-129B.
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 7, 2024.