mukuk

mukuk

mukuk

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Introduction

Mukuk decorated with heart and floral motifs. Anishinaabeg. One of two collected by Henry Christy in 1856. Donated to the British Museum by Christy between 1860 and 1869.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Nation of Origin

Manufacture techniques and style.

Date Made or Date Range: Mid 19 C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Created from information in the British Museum object catalogue and observations made by the GRASAC research team.

Materials

Made of birch bark, narrow splint, vegetable fibre cord or thread, and porcupine quills, white and dyed light blue, dark blue, pink, red, light green and yellow. Filled with maple sugar.

Techniques or Format

A cord binds both the lid to its base and a narrow splint to the rim. Porcupine quillwork decorates the top and both sides of the box.

Motifs and Patterns

Floral designs are found on one side, and two hearts are on the other side. A pointed oval and chevron are on the lid.

Other Notes

One of two boxes - see also St.794.a

Dimensions: 8 × 4 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

This item was collected by Henry Christy around 1856.

Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Am,St.794a
Collection at Current Location: Christy Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1860s
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Henry Christy
Collection Narratives and Histories

Collected in 1856 by English ethnologist Henry Christy, who subsequently donated it to the British Museum between 1860 and 1869.

GKS Reference Number: 24911
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Anishinaabeg artist, mukuk. Currently in the British Museum, Am,St.794a. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 24911.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures (GRASAC) research trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum and British Museum, December 8-22 2007, funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Researchers present: Heidi Bohaker (HB), John Borrows (JB), Lindsay Borrows (LB), Darlene Johnston (DJ), Jonathan King (JK), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Bruce Morito (BM), Ruth Phillips (RP), Cory Willmott (CW).

Approximate Place of Origin

44.2, -84.4

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