scarlet cloth of Joseph Brant

scarlet cloth of Joseph Brant

scarlet cloth of Joseph Brant

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Introduction

"Scarlet cloth" or red woollen blanket with silk ribbonwork applique in variations of the otter tail motif on three edges. Attributed to Joseph Brant of Six Nations, the Oronhyatekha catalogue states that the materials were "sent out from England about 1793".

Nation of Maker: Mohawk
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Identified as Mohawk as Oronhyatekha catalogue

Place of Origin: Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
Date Made or Date Range: Late 18 C to Early 19 C
Materials

"Scarlet cloth," [woollen] silk ribbon, black, fuscia, gray, cream, green, navy blue, turquoise, medium blue, medium green, white, thread

Techniques or Format

One flat panel of cloth with ribbonwork applique on three of the four sides, white ribbon used to outline the patterns

Motifs and Patterns

The ribbonwork applique patters are all variations on the otter tail motif. A wide band of applique extends along the central edge. On the two opposite sides, the pattern changes half way along so that when worn two different patterns might have been visible in front and back

Other Notes

Made from a yard and a half of broadcloth, making a perfect square

Dimensions: 139 × 54.5 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Joseph Brant lived during this period.

Current Location: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 911.3.79
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1911
Publication History

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independent Order of Foresters, 1904), p. 35,

Item 161. "Brant Shawl of scarlet cloth, decorated with bands of coloured silk, sent out from England about 1793."

Sources to Learn More

Marshall Joseph Becker, "Matchcoats: Cultural Conservatism and Change in one Aspect of Native American Clothing", Ethnohistory, Fall 2005

GKS Reference Number: 1566
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, scarlet cloth of Joseph Brant. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.79. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1566.

Record Creation Context

GRASAC team research trip to the Royal Ontario Museum, December 15-19, 2009. Heidi Bohaker, Alan Corbiere, Lewis Debassige, Anne De Stecher, Judy Harris (Dec 16-17) Darlene Johnston, Stacey Loyer, Trudy Nicks, Ruth Phillips, Tracey Forste.

Monday Dec 15, Ethnology collection team: Alan Corbiere, Lewis Debassige, Trudy Nicks, Cory Willmott, Ruth Phillips, and Anne de Stecher with the assistance of T

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