Neck Ornament

Neck Ornament

Neck Ornament

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Introduction

This relative, a neck ornament, is made of two gaaway/gaawye (quill) woven and quill embroidered panels connected by quill wrapped thongs and two straps of glass wampum mnidoomin/mnidoomnens/oyę:ˀ (beads). The beads include very small white seed and translucent green, as well as small translucent dark and light blue glass imitation wampum beads. There is a fringe on either end of the item; the bottom fringe is threaded through metal cones, composed of sinew and possibly hair that has been dyed red. Each strand of this fringe is connected by 2 metal cylinders forming a chain. The top fringe is not linked in a chain and is decorated with white and black quills. The origins of the neck ornament are not certain; however, it has probable connections to Anishinaabe or Hodenosaunee in the eastern Great Lakes and is tentatively dated to the late 18th or early 19th century.

This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Date Made or Date Range: late 18th- early 19th century
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC researcher notes.

Materials

very small white seed and translucent green beads; small translucent dark and light blue glass imitation wampum beads

Motifs and Patterns

Geometric pattern on panel.

Condition: an element is missing, probably a gorget to which the two srands of glass wampum beads were attached
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

GRASAC research notes.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1880.1911
GKS Reference Number: 24640
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Neck ornament. GRASAC ID 24640. National Museum of Ireland Collection 1880.1911.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on July 9, 2024. It draws on images and information recorded during the GRASAC research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 22, 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Ruth Phillips, Crystal Migwans, Nicholas Stolle, who were assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby.