Pouch

Pouch

Pouch

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Introduction

This pouch was created from deer hide, tin cones, and porcupine quills dyed black, brown, orange, and red. Side seams and thongs of cones were covered with quillwork. Item has an X design, alternating colors, and a radiating spiral motif. This pouch was likely made during the 18th century and was accessioned in 1962 by the Missouri Historical Society.

Date Made or Date Range: 1800s
Techniques or Format

Tin cones attached to patch with knotted thongs. Two bottom pairs positioned on corners, two pairs positioned on X-design side, suggesting it is the front side. Thongs of cones are wrapped with red quill. Opening edged with a twisted thong wrapped with quillwork. Parallel-banded quillwork threaded with sinew. Seam on the sides is covered with quillwork (alternate black, white, red). Folded at the bottom. Two thongs knotted into a loop. Originally two, only one is still existing.

Motifs and Patterns

One side: X design in natural, above and below are red outline, and two sides are black outline and another natural outline. Other side: central spiral design of twisted quillwork radiating out; two rows natural, two rows black, two rows natural, two rows red, and from the outer perimeter diagonals are radiating out.

Additional Context

Cosmologic/four-direction symbol

Other Notes

Contains a small medicine bundle inside the pouch, but not photographed for spiritual purposes. Catalogue record suggests bison, but we assume it to be deer.

Dimensions: 3.75 × 3.25 × 0 in
Condition: Detached metal cone, missing quills, overall fragile.
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 66 1991 a-b
GKS Reference Number: 27347
Approximate Place of Origin

43.0703, -80.1184