Turban

Turban

Turban

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Introduction

This relative, a turban with fur (possible otter) flanette and German silver brooch-like buttons, has probable connections with the Great Lakes and the Anishnaabe. It was presented to the Helen Pep Grodka Collection by Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Blumenthal.

This relative currently resides in the National Museum of the American Indian.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Date Made or Date Range: 1890s to 1930s
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

NMAI records and physical examination by Cory Willmott, Alan Corbiere and Ann McMullen, July 2007.

Materials

Fur (possibly a young otter), German silver brooch-like buttons, cotton flannelette

Techniques or Format

Tube of buckram (stiffened burlap-like material), machine sewn, with fur wrapped around (partially--gap shows inside), with red cotton flannelette edging . Tail pendant attached to bottom edge and lays across top of head. Head band portion has four medium-sized perforated and stamped brooch-like buttons and one medium to large perforated and stamped brooch sits where tail is attached to band.

Additional Context

Photographs of this relative feature the turban upside down. This does not accurately represent how the item would have been used and/or worn.

Other Notes

Examined by Alan Corbiere and Cory Willmott. Note from Cory Willmott: Probably Anishnaabe, Iroquois did not have this style of head gear.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

1890-1930?: ''CW: Cotton flannelette is no earlier than 1890.

Current Location: National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C. USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 251617.000
Collection at Current Location: Helen Pep Grodka Collection
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1/1/1982
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Blumenthal
Collection Narratives and Histories

Pep Grodka, Helen; Gift/Presentation

GKS Reference Number: 25553
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Turban. GRASAC ID: 25553. National Museum of the American Indian, 251617.000.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

This record was created on site at NMAI by the GRASAC members listed below. Ann McMullen and Pat Nietfeld of NMAI supported the research onsite. Cory Willmott's research was funded by a grant from the American Philosophical Society. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provided Cory with an RA, Ceara Horsley, in Fall 2008 to work on GRASAC data entry. (CH)

Approximate Place of Origin

45.6426, -85.036

Source of Information about Places

Great Lakes

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