mkak, box, birchbark and sweetgrass
mkak, box, birchbark and sweetgrass
mkak, box, birchbark and sweetgrass

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.
The nation is listed as "Ottawa" on the catalogue card.
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, purple, pink, and orange.
The mkak is circular with a fitted lid. The UPenn records suggest the lid may be from a different box. The birchbark is sewn together with sweetgrass binding.
The pink, purple, orange, and green quillwork forms floral motifs.
Gottschall collected between 1871 and 1905.
Provenance
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, 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 285)
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark and sweetgrass. GRASAC ID 26098. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-141A & 97-84-141B.
This information was gathered during a 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 November 14, 2024.