wampum strings

wampum strings

wampum strings

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Introduction

Wampum strings. From the Northeastern Woodlands, of Haudenosaunee origin. Made between 1600-1900. Purchased by the British Museum from Mrs. A Corner in 1938.

Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Nation of Origin

Iroquois - British Museum Object catalogue

Date Made or Date Range: 17 C to 20 C
Materials

White and purple wampum, smoked animal skin tabs, and twine.

Techniques or Format

There are three strings of wampum tied together at one end, with a smoked skin tab, and three skin stoppers at the other end. From bottom to top, the pattern of beads on the first string is 9 purple, 1 white, and 40 purple-- the second is 54 purple-- the third is 1 white, 52 purple.

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

The British Museum Object catalogue states this item was made between 1600-1900.

Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Am1938,0311.3
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Mrs. A Corner
Collection Narratives and Histories

Purchased by the British Museum from Mrs. A Corner in 1938.

GKS Reference Number: 26709
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Haudenosaunee artist, wampum strings. Currently in the British Museum, Am1938,0311.3. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 26709.

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), John Borrows (JB), Lindsay Borrows (LB), Alan Corbiere (AC), Henrietta Lidchi (HL), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Bruce Morito (BM), Ruth Phillips (RP), Anne De Stecher (AS), Cory Willmott (CW).

Approximate Place of Origin

43.7918, -84.2994

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