naakaans wall pocket

Images

Introduction

This ancestor is a birchbark wall pocket (naakaans, birchbark handicraft) with darker brown edging, possibly made from root. The edges are scalloped. A hook made from the same material is attached to the top of this ancestor. Three floral motifs made of green, red, and pink quills decorate the centre of the wall pocket, with the largest near the top, one on the pocket, and the last one on the bottom. There are crosses on either side of the flowers on the top and the pocket. Some of the quills are missing from the bottom flower, and there are holes in the birchbark that suggest more have fallen off. As well, the bottom left side is worn down. The tulip-shaped pocket and the backside are backed in plain birchbark. This ancestor is housed at Ethnologisches Museum Berlin.

Nation of Origin

Unknown

Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

The description is from images and notes taken during a GRASAC visit to the Museum in May 2019, including images of the original catalogue card and ledgers at the Museum.

Read More About This Relative

Materials

Birchbark; root (possibly basswood); quills; thread.

Techniques or Format

Scalloping along the edges; quillwork

Motifs and Patterns

This wall pocket features three flowers, all made of green, red, and pink quillwork. The bottom flower has two green vines that come out from either side, although some quills are missing from the vines and the petals. The flower in the middle has two leaves on the bottom, while the top consists of red and pink quills. Some quills are faded. The top flower is bright pink with three leaves behind it and has the least amount of fading. There appear to be crosses beside the flowers on the top and middle.

Other Notes

Descriptions of materials and designs based on collections visit and conversation among Laura Peers and Alan Corbiere in May 2019.

Condition: Fair; structurally sound, but the bottom left of the pocket is considerably worn down and many quills are missing and/or faded.

Provenance

Current Location: Ethnologisches Museum Berlin, Germany

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: IV-B-2352

Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Diplomatic Gift

Source for Provenance information

Catalogue Cards and Museum Legder

About This GRASAC Record

GKS Reference Number: 26625

How to Cite this Item

Unknown Maker. "Quillwork Wall Pocket", GKS Reference Number, located in the Ethnologisches Museum of Berlin, catalogue number IV-B-2352

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Natasha Fares and Cara Krmpotich in December 2023.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Contributing Members: Nikolaus Stolle, and in May 2019: Laura Peers, Alan Corbiere, Maureen Matthews and Cara Krmpotich. Photography by Hannah Turner and Charles Feaver.

Source of Information about Places

Museum catalogue card indicates "Canada"

Do You Have Knowledge to Contribute? Share with Us.