Dublin Core
Title
Birch Bark Box
Object
container
Culture
Ojibwe
Brief Description
Rectangular birch bark box with hinged lid and minimal floral quillwork on top and sides.
Description
Rectangular birch bark box with hinged lid and minimal floral quillwork on top and sides.
1. Form: The box itself is a simple design, of 6 flat bark panels. On the lid, a single line of red quill borders the sides. A line of crosshatched white quills sections off the top-right corner and bottom-left corner. In the center is the image of flowers - a green stem splitting into 3 with a red bulb at the end of each, and leaves throughout. On the sides is a simple design of 3 diagonal red quills crossed by 2 green quills - this occurs 3 times on the front and back, and once on the sides. All edges of the box are wrapped in bands of sweet grass, bound by the black stitching which hold the box together. Along the top and front, an extra band of sweet grass forms a sort of tab and slot below, creating a clasp which holds the lid closed. The inside has a bark lining.
2. Material and Color:
Birch bark - light-medium brown (R219 G180 B126), R154 G102 B29)
Sweet grass - faded yellow (R238 G219 B168)
Cotton thread - black
Quills - white, green (R185 G190 B147) (R67 G90 B20), red (R182 G41 B62)
3. Construction: The bark panels were cut into shape, along with the lining, and stitched together.
4. Decoration: Quillwork decorates the lid and sides. Sweet grass is wrapped around all edges and held into place by the stitching.
5. Skill/Care: Simple, but neat and effective design
6. Condition: Very good. Minimal wear, especially on lining.
1. Form: The box itself is a simple design, of 6 flat bark panels. On the lid, a single line of red quill borders the sides. A line of crosshatched white quills sections off the top-right corner and bottom-left corner. In the center is the image of flowers - a green stem splitting into 3 with a red bulb at the end of each, and leaves throughout. On the sides is a simple design of 3 diagonal red quills crossed by 2 green quills - this occurs 3 times on the front and back, and once on the sides. All edges of the box are wrapped in bands of sweet grass, bound by the black stitching which hold the box together. Along the top and front, an extra band of sweet grass forms a sort of tab and slot below, creating a clasp which holds the lid closed. The inside has a bark lining.
2. Material and Color:
Birch bark - light-medium brown (R219 G180 B126), R154 G102 B29)
Sweet grass - faded yellow (R238 G219 B168)
Cotton thread - black
Quills - white, green (R185 G190 B147) (R67 G90 B20), red (R182 G41 B62)
3. Construction: The bark panels were cut into shape, along with the lining, and stitched together.
4. Decoration: Quillwork decorates the lid and sides. Sweet grass is wrapped around all edges and held into place by the stitching.
5. Skill/Care: Simple, but neat and effective design
6. Condition: Very good. Minimal wear, especially on lining.
Dimension 1
7" W
Dimension 2
4" D
Dimension 3
2.25" H
Material
bark(birch) fiber(sweet grass) cotton quill(porcupine)
Construction
cut stitched
Decoration
quillwork wrapped(fiber)
Condition
V GOOD wear
Source
Ostrom, Elinor -bequest
Collector
Ostrom, Elinor and Vincent
Accession Number
MM249.098
Old Number
MM249.098 CAC#LS-10 OC#203
Type
artifact
County
Manitoulin Island
State
Ontario
Country
Canada
Continent
North America
Provenance
This item is from the collections of the Mathers Museum of World Cultures.