Materials

wool, silk

Techniques or Format

The rectangular wrapper is made of black plain weave wool, napped selvage to selvage, decorated with handstitched pieced applique work of plain weave silk.

Motifs and Patterns

On one end of the wrapper, there is an applique band along one side; at the other end, both sides are decorated in geometric designs based on diamonds, flattened ellipses and wedge shapes in blue, green, pink, yellow and tan. Typical otter-tail motif, with the long lozenge and three diamonds (CW).

Additional Context

The fineness of the design dates it toearlier than 1850, possibly to 1820 or 1830, and points to an Ojibwe origin (CW). The four repititions of the otter tail pattern indicates the four directions that the otter showed to the Anishinaabe child when he brought Mide from the East (AC).

Other Notes

design area dimensions: 2.25 x 18.5 in.

Dimensions: 53 × 7.25 × 0 in

Condition: Extensive insect damage (holes), not active infestation; stains, soiled, abrasion, silk faded. Some water damage, with ribbon colours bleeding into each other.

Current Location: Detroit Institute of Arts, MI, USA

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 81.93

Collection at Current Location: Mary B. Shurtleff Collection

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1981

Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Richard A. Pohrt

Collection Narratives and Histories

Pohrt purchased wrapper from Mary B. Shurtleff, Cross Village, MI

GKS Reference Number: 26913