pwaagan, pipe bowl

pwaagan, pipe bowl

pwaagan, pipe bowl

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Introduction

This relative is a black steatite pwaagan (pipe) bowl with lead inlay, carved in the shape of a human head. It is similar to those belonging to the central Great Lakes Anishinaabe. 

In March of 1980, Dr. Nancy Waugh sold the pwaagan the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, where it currently resides. Dr. Nancy Waugh acquired it through her family. A celluloid tag accompanying the pipe bowl says: "Pipe said to have used (sic) in the times of the early settlement U.S.A. Flint's collection."

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

It is similar to other Anishinaabe pwaagnak.

Date Made or Date Range: 1700s
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and observations made by the GRASAC research team.

Materials

black steatite; lead or pewter.

Techniques or Format

The pipe is carved from black steatite, with lead or pewter inlay. The bowl is carved in the shape of a face, with the inlay forming facial decorations on the cheeks.

Dimensions: 14.5 × 3.7 × 7.8 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The catalogue card states that "According to John Witthoft, this is of an old type, from the 18th century."

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 80-7-1
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/3454
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1980
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Purchased from Dr. Nancy Waugh, 1980.
Collection Narratives and Histories

In March of 1980, Dr. Nancy Waugh sold the pwaagan the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, where it currently resides. Dr. Nancy Waugh acquired it through her family. A celluloid tag on the pipe bowl says: "Pipe said to have used (sic) in the times of the early settlement U.S.A. Flint's collection."

Source for Provenance information

Museum documentation.

GKS Reference Number: 26367
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Pwaagan, pipe bowl. GRASAC ID 26367. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 80-7-1.

Record Creation Context

This information was gathered during a GRASAC study visit, participants included: David Penney, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, and William Wierzbowski, on December 3, 2009.
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on March 29, 2025.

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