Dublin Core
Title
Birch Bark Box
Object
container
Culture
Ojibwe
Brief Description
Round lidded birch bark box; minimal quillwork on lid represents red tulip.
Description
Round lidded birch bark box; minimal quillwork on lid represents red tulip.
1. Form: The flower is a tulip, measuring 1.75 x 1.25 inches. The bulb is red and has a simple green stem extending below. Three green quills come off of each side to signify leaves. Two small white quills appear on either side, and the lid is encircled by a ring of red. Unlike most of the other boxes in this collection, the rest of the lid is bare, showing only bark. The sides are the same way, decorated only with a pair of diagonal red quills every 1-1.5 inches. Sweet grass is bound by black stitching to the top and bottom of the base, and a double row to the edge of the lid. Bark lines the inside to hide the quill ends.
2. Material and Color:
Birch bark - medium-light brown (R176 G117 B36) (R216 G168 B105)
Sweet grass - faded yellow (R235 G214 G186)
Cotton thread - black
Quills - red (R181 G30 B36) green (G131 G140 B54) (R82 G90 B18)
3. Construction: Bark was cut, bent, and stitched into shape.
4. Decoration: Quillwork decorates the lid and sides, sweet grass is wrapped around the edges.
5. Skill/Work: A simpler piece but well-made
6. Condition: Very good - light wear/scratches
1. Form: The flower is a tulip, measuring 1.75 x 1.25 inches. The bulb is red and has a simple green stem extending below. Three green quills come off of each side to signify leaves. Two small white quills appear on either side, and the lid is encircled by a ring of red. Unlike most of the other boxes in this collection, the rest of the lid is bare, showing only bark. The sides are the same way, decorated only with a pair of diagonal red quills every 1-1.5 inches. Sweet grass is bound by black stitching to the top and bottom of the base, and a double row to the edge of the lid. Bark lines the inside to hide the quill ends.
2. Material and Color:
Birch bark - medium-light brown (R176 G117 B36) (R216 G168 B105)
Sweet grass - faded yellow (R235 G214 G186)
Cotton thread - black
Quills - red (R181 G30 B36) green (G131 G140 B54) (R82 G90 B18)
3. Construction: Bark was cut, bent, and stitched into shape.
4. Decoration: Quillwork decorates the lid and sides, sweet grass is wrapped around the edges.
5. Skill/Work: A simpler piece but well-made
6. Condition: Very good - light wear/scratches
Dimension 1
3.5" W
Dimension 2
3.5" D
Dimension 3
1.75" H
Material
bark(birch) fiber(sweet grass) cotton quill(porcupine)
Construction
cut bent stitched
Decoration
quillwork wrapped(fiber)
Condition
V GOOD wear
Source
Ostrom, Elinor -bequest
Collector
Ostrom, Elinor and Vincent
Accession Number
MM249.095
Old Number
MM249.095 CAC#LS-07 OC#215
Type
artifact
Locale
West Bay/ M’Chigeeng
County
Manitoulin Island
State
Ontario
Country
Canada
Continent
North America
Comments Object History
2012 CAT: Sold at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in West Bay/M’Chigeeng for $5.50. Inside is a store tag with the price and statement of authenticity; EO Office.
Provenance
This item is from the collections of the Mathers Museum of World Cultures.