pouch flap

pouch flap

pouch flap

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Images
Introduction

This ancestor is made of an unidentified plant fibre base and has a quill and moose hair covering. It is a five-sided shape. Two of the sides have a white beaded edge, and the third side features wrapping. The longest beaded sides and the wrapped side have tinkle cones with red-dyed hair and red quill wrapping. There are three buttonholes, with two near the point of the triangle and the third between the two beaded sides. An alternating blue and white pattern borders the two longest parts of the triangle and is connected by a black and white border at the top. The centre of the flap features two diamonds with a blue and white checkered pattern. Underneath it are two diagonal lines in a black and white checkered pattern, with three white lines connecting them at the end. The design is symmetrical, and the use of diamonds is often seen on wampum. The shape has European military elements. The back in unlined. This ancestor has been referred to as a pouch flap, although it is possible it is an epaulette, a part of regalia, or a sheath. Currently, this ancestor is at Ethnologisches Museum Berlin. 

Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Nation of Origin

Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Attributed as "Irokesen [Iroquois]" in museum records.

Date Made or Date Range: pre-1937
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 (Alan Corbiere, Cara Krmpotich, Maureen Matthews and Laura Peers), and from a research visit to the museum by Nikolaus Stolle.

Materials

Plant fibre; quill; moose hair; beads; metal (tinkle cones); dyed hair

Techniques or Format

Beaded edges; wrapping along the edge; weaving

Motifs and Patterns

The blue and white checkered diamonds in the middle of the flap are often seen on wampum. The two black and white checkered diagonal lines near the bottom are connected by three white lines. The design is symmetrical and has a military feel.

Original and Subsequent Uses

Alan Corbiere, Laura Peers, Maureen Matthews and Cara Krmpotich were unclear what this relative's use was, or how it may have been incorporated within garments or clothing. The German description of the item is "bestickte taschenklappe" - which translates to embroidered pocket flap.

Other Notes

Other Catalogue Identifiers:
file no.: 1223/37

Condition: Good; structurally sound with minimal signs of wear; some fading.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Since it was acquired by the Museum in 1937, it must have been made by then.

Current Location: Ethnologisches Museum Berlin, Germany
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: IV-B-12627
Collection at Current Location: Patty Frank
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1937
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Patty Frank alias Ernst Tobis, Karl-May Museum, Radebeul, as seen in Catalogues
Collection Narratives and Histories

This piece was exchanged with Karl-May-Museum, Radebeul

GKS Reference Number: 24475
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Maker. "Checkered Flap GRASAC ID 24475 located in the Ethnologisches Museum Berlin, catalogue number IV-B-12627.

Record Creation Context

Created by Nikolaus Stolle during a research visit to the museum commissioned by Ruth Phillips and supported by her research funds. Augmented by Natasha Fares.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

GKS Contributors: Nikolaus Stolle, Heidi Bohaker, Ruth Phillips, Cory Willmott, Peter Bolz, Laura Peers, Alan Corbiere, Maureen Matthews, Cara Krmpotich.
Object photography from Nikolaus Stolle, and Charles Feaver, Maureen Matthews and Hannah Turner.

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