Pouch

Pouch

Pouch

top image
Images
Introduction

This relative, a hide pouch with finger-woven red and green wool yarn strap is elaborated with quill work in simple line stitch (orange, black and white). Although the precise origins of this pouch are not certain, it is of Eastern Great Lakes origin and is believed to date from pre-1880.

This relative currently resides in the National Museum of Ireland.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: American
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: Patterns of Power, 1984.

Date Made or Date Range: pre-1880
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: Patterns of Power, 1984.

Materials

Tanned, smoked hide; bark strips; porcupine quills, black, white; cylindrical glass beads,black, white;white glass pony beads; re-and blue-dyed animal hair; metal cones; two metal trade buttons; strap: wool yarn, red, green; commercial thread.

Techniques or Format

Bark strips wrapped with orange, black, white porcupine quills; quill work in simple line stitch;Strap finger woven of red and green wool yarn.

Other Notes

Square and rectangular pouches used by Woodlands Indigenous communities from the eighteenth century on are thought to be adapted from European military dress. In this example, the process of adapting a foreign prototype can clearly be seen. Although the quill techniques and motifs are purely aboriginal, a European-style flap has been carefully sewn on and button holes and European buttons incorporated (Patterns of Power).

Dimensions: 18 × 20 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: Patterns of Power, 1984.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: NMI 1880.1912
Source for Provenance information

National Museum of Ireland documentation.

Publication History

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

GKS Reference Number: 1324
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Pouch. GRASAC ID 1324. National Museum of Ireland Collection NMI 1880.1912.

Record Creation Context

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on August 17, 2025. It draws on images and information recorded in Ruth Phillips's book, Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, ON: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.