Sheath, knife

Sheath, knife

Sheath, knife

top image
Images
Introduction

This relative, a black-dyed deerskin knife sheath, has a small face embroidered on the upper back panel, as well as a zigzag band, one-quill plaiting stitches, and simple line decoration. It is composed of deerskin, sinew, natural vegetable fibres, metal cones, and porcupine quills, which have been coloured yellow, blue-green, red, and natural white. This relative was collected by British Army officer Jasper Grant between 1800 and 1809. The origins of the knife sheath are not certain; however, it has probable connections to the Anishinaabe and the Great Lakes region.

This relative currently resides at the National Museum of Ireland.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded.
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Nation of Origin

Anishinaabe

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

This information was informed by the following resource: Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg, On.: Patterns of Power, 1984; as well as GRASAC research notes.

Date Made or Date Range: 1800-1809
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC research notes.

Materials

Black-dyed deerskin; sinew; natural vegetable fibres; porcupine quills, yellow, blue-green, red, natural white; metal cones; thongs.

Techniques or Format

quill work in simple line, zigzag band, and one-quill plaiting stitches.

Motifs and Patterns

face on upper back panel

Other Notes

This unusual example of knife sheath is embroidered with a small spirit face, a power image which would have imbued the weapon contained int he sheath with special potency.

Dimensions: 26.3 × 5 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

GRASAC research notes.

Current Location: National Museum of Ireland
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1902.339
Collection at Current Location: Jasper Grant Collection
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Jasper Grant's grandson, Robert Ussher, donated the collection to the National Museum of Ireland in 1902.
Collection Narratives and Histories

Jasper Grant (1762-1812), Anglo-Irish officer who spent 9 years in Canada between 1800-1809. Served as commandant of Fort George in the Niagara Peninsula and of Fort Malden at Amherstburg opposite Detroit. It is likely that his wife, Isabella Grant, played a significant role in the collection of items given her close relationship to Madeline Askin Richardson, the daughter of a prominent fur trader and merchant with extensive ties to the surrounding Indigenous communities.

Source for Provenance information

GRASAC researcher notes from a research trip to the National Museum of Ireland on July 22, 2010.

Exhibition History

In 1984-1985 the Jasper Grant Collection was featured in a special travelling exhibition for the Ontario bicentennial, which was organized by the McMichael Canadian Collection and entitled "Patterns of Power."

Publication History

Phillips, Ruth. Patterns of Power. Kleinburg,On.: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984.

Sources to Learn More

Philips, Ruth B. (1986-87). “Jasper Grant and Edward Walsh: the Gentleman-Soldier as Early Collector of Great Lakes Indian Art.” Journal of Canadian Studies 21(4): 56-71.

GKS Reference Number: 24782
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Sheath, knife. GRASAC ID: 24782. National Museum of Ireland Collection 1902.339.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

This record was augmented by Dana Murray on July 14, 2024. It draws on information recorded during the GRASAC Research trip to the National Museum of Ireland onJuly 22 2010. Participants included Alan Corbiere, Ruth Phillips, Crystal Migwans, and Nicholas Stolle, who were assisted by Padraig Clancy and Emma Crosby

Do You Have Knowledge to Contribute? Share with Us.