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










This almond-shaped Anishinaabe mkak (box) is made from wiigwaas (birchbark) and sweetgrass, 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.
The catalogue card says "Ottawa."
The information in this record is based on museum documentation.
Read More About This Relative
birchbark, sweetgrass; black thread; split root (spruce or cedar); porcupine quills natural and dyed green and orange.
A sweetgrass binding is seen along all the edges of the mkak.
The kaawyikewin is done in orange and white floral motifs on the lid and sides of the mkak.
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 1668)
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark and sweetgrass. GRASAC ID 26714. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-132A & 97-84-132B.
This information was gathered during a research visit to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 6, 2010. The researchers present: Adriana Greci-Green, Stacey Loyer, Coralie Boeykens.
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on January 9, 2025.