pincushion, with beadwork and moosehair embroidery

pincushion, with beadwork and moosehair embroidery

pincushion, with beadwork and moosehair embroidery

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Introduction

A pincushion with Hodenosaunee style beadwork and Huron-Wendat moosehair embroidery. An inscription on the the back reads, "From A & L.L. to A. P. Sharples." Mid to late nineteenth century. Given to the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology by Marshall Joseph Becker in 1992.

Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee Huron-Wendat
Nation of Origin

Attribution based on stylistic features.

Date Made or Date Range: 1837-1901
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation.

Materials

red velvet; light peachy beige cloth; small (size 12?) clear beads; medium-sized (size 7 or 6?) clear beads; clear tubular beads; small (size 12?) opaque white beads; medium-sized (size 10 or 8?) opaque white beads; moosehair dyed green, yellow, white; beige thread; unknown stuffing material.

Techniques or Format

This pincushion is circular, with six evenly-spaced lobes. Made from two pieces of cloth sewn together. The top red velvet piece is decorated with raised beadwork around a central moosehair embroidered floral design. A looped beaded fringe decorates the edges.

Motifs and Patterns

Floral.

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 0 cm
Condition: The moosehair embroidered floral motif is slightly damaged.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The museum record states it was made in the Victorian Era (1837-1901).

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 91-22-5
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1992
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Marshall J. Becker
Collection Narratives and Histories

Given to the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology by Marshall Joseph Becker in 1992.

Sources to Learn More

A similar pincushion held at the National Museum of the American Indian (22/4677) is illustrated in Ruth Phillips, Trading Identities: The Souvenir in Native North American Art from the Northeast, 1700-1900 (1998): plate 33.

GKS Reference Number: 26131
Record Creation Context

GRASAC research visit by David Penney, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, William Wierzbowski, December 3, 2009

Approximate Place of Origin

45.6426, -85.036

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