rush mat

rush mat

rush mat

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Introduction

The mat is woven with either bulrush or cattail in their natural colour, and plant fibre. This ancestor features teal green, blue, and purple linear patterns, with straight and wavy lines. The patterns are made by alternating the plant fill, and the design is the same on both sides of the mat: straight lines in teal, purple, then blue, followed by alternating wavy and straight blue lines. There is a break, then two teal and purple lines follow, then another wavy blue line after another break. A straight blue line is attached to the wavy line, followed by three straight teal lines. The centre of the pattern consists of alternating patterns created from changing the weaving direction and are either purple or blue. This design repeats on the other side. Some of the dyes have migrated and faded. The edges are braided, and there is a braided fringe on the right end of the mat. This decoration has also been seen on woven bags. Currently, this ancestor is at Ethnologisches Museum Berlin.

Nation of Maker: Menomini
Nation of Origin

"obtained from a Menomonie [Menomini] woman"

Date Made or Date Range: Before 1904
Materials

The mat is woven with either bulrush or cattail in their natural colour, and plant fibre.

Techniques or Format

Weaving; alternating weft pattern.

Motifs and Patterns

Straight and wavy lines.

Additional Context

This ancestor features teal green, blue, and purple linear patterns, with straight and wavy lines. The patterns are made by alternating the plant fill, and the design is the same on both sides of the mat: straight lines in teal, purple, then blue, followed by alternating wavy and straight blue lines. There is a break, then two teal and purple lines follow, then another wavy blue line after another break. A straight blue line is attached to the wavy line, followed by three straight teal lines. The centre of the pattern consists of alternating patterns created from changing the weaving direction and are either purple or blue. This design repeats on the other side.

Other Notes

Descriptions by Kara Annett based on images and notes taken during a GRASAC visit to the Museum in May 2019. Notes Berlin GRASAC Day 2

Dimensions: 0 × 0 × 0 mm
Condition: Good; structurally sound, but dyes have faded and migrated.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Year of acquisition

Current Location: Ethnologisches Museum Berlin, Germany
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: IV-B-6454
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1904
GKS Reference Number: 691
Record Creation Context

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

Approximate Place of Origin

44.987869972309, -88.695541984846

Source of Information about Places

Menomini Reservation, Wisconsin

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