mkak, box, birchbark with sweetgrass

mkak, box, birchbark with sweetgrass

mkak, box, birchbark with sweetgrass

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Introduction

This rectangular Anishinaabe mkak (box) is made from wiigwaas (birchbark) sewn together with 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.

Name of Maker(s): Maker unrecorded
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Odawa
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Catalogue card says it is "Ottawa"

Place of Origin: Michigan (Northern Michigan), USA
Date Made or Date Range: Before 1905
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

The information in this record is based on museum documentation.

Materials

birchbark; beige thread; split root; porcupine quills, natural and dyed yellow, green, pink, red, purple

Techniques or Format

The inner panel is slightly higher than the outer panel, and appears to be a darker wood, possibly from a different tree. There is an ash splint sewn to the inside of the box rim. Split root also is used as an edging along the top of the rim, underneath quill criss-crosses. A bit of beige thread is also visible, that has been used to sew the top of the lid to the lid rim.

Rectangular form with rounded corners.

Motifs and Patterns

The kaawyikewin is done in a variety of different colored flower motifs on the top and sides of the mkak. There is also a repeating diamond and X pattern along the side of the lid.

Dimensions: 14.6 × 9.4 × 8.8 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

These dates are based on Gottschall's collecting activities.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 97-84-128A (box); 97-84-128A (box lid); L-84-128A-B (old museum numbers); 18084 (ANS number); I 1034 (Gottschall number)
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/297079
Collection at Current Location: Amos H. Gottschall Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1997
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Gift of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1997
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1871 to 1905
Collection Narratives and Histories

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.

Publication History

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 1034)

GKS Reference Number: 26491
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Mkak, box, birchbark and sweetgrass. GRASAC ID 26491. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 97-84-128A & 97-84-128B.

Record Creation Context

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.

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