Sheath, knife

Sheath, knife

Sheath, knife

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Introduction

An unsmoked hide knife sheath decorated with quillwork and beaded tassels. Although the origins of this relative are not certain, it has probable connections to the Anishinaabe or Haudenosaunee/Hodeonsaunee and was likely made in the 18th century. This item is part of a collection donated to the Pitt Rivers Museum by Colonel Shirley, where it currently resides.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Date Made or Date Range: 17uu
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Pitt Rivers Object catalogue and observations made by the GRASAC research team.

Materials

unsmoked hide, possibly moose; porcupine quills, blue, red and white; possibly moosehair; red ochre paint; pony beads, black and white; metal cones

Techniques or Format

The sheath is made of thick unsmoked hide, possibly moose. The front and back panels have been sewn together. Braided, folded and wrapped quillwork techniques are found on this item. The front is completely covered with quill embroidery done with various folding techniques. The seams are bound in fine quillwork or moosehair. Red ochre paint is found on the seams. Tassels are made of black and white pony beads, terminating in metal cones.

Other Notes

Black and white beads found in the fringe may be glass wampum.

Dimensions: 24.9 × 0 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

18th century, because of the glass wampum beads in the fringe.

Current Location: Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, United Kingdom
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1952.5.013
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1966
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Colonel Shirley, through his son Major Shirley
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: before 1952
Collection Narratives and Histories

This item is part of a collection loaned to the Pitt Rivers Museum by Colonel Shirley in 1952 and purchased from his son, Major Shirley in January 1966. There is a possibility that this coat was formerly owned by James Bisset and acquired by Colonel Shirley through the Leamington Museum. (Pitt Rivers Museum Object Catalogue entry)

Publication History

Mowat, Linda. "Painted Coats for a Coronation? (Research Notes)," Journal of Museum Ethnography 8 (1996): 109-110.

GKS Reference Number: 185
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Sheath, knife. GRASAC ID: 185. Pitt Rivers Museum, 1952.5.013.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures (GRASAC) research trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum and British Museum, December 8-22 2007, funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Record Creation Notes/Observations

researchers present: Heidi Bohaker (HB), Al Corbiere (AC), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Laura Peers (LP), Ruth Phillips (RP), Anne De Stecher (AS), Cory Willmott (CW).

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