Box Item Number: Na702 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular box with arched end walls, and niche on one side for metal lock. Hinge wire at two places on opposite side. Birch bark, with chevron designs of porcupine quills in yellow-white, brown, and yellow-orange, wrapped around sides. Arched lid of birch bark fits over rim of box. Ends and side of lid are lashed to top with split root. Wire at two points on one side, in centre of other. Chevron designs in quills interwoven in alternating rhomboids and pairs of stripes. Quill design in top; wide longitudinal band of symmetrically arranged triangles and rectangles, dominated by central equilateral diamond enclosing four petalled curvilinear pinwheel. Band flanked by narrower bands of four half-circles each. Designs enhanced with interwoven or overlaid quills. Lid split across top, and across one end. Scoring of bark for design planning seen where quills are missing on box and lid.
Narrative
Collector purchased the box from a London dealer in 1976.
Item History
- Made in New Brunswick, Canada
- Collected during 1976
- Owned by Wilhelm Helmer before March 9, 1977
- Received from Wilhelm Helmer (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) on March 9, 1977
What
- Name
- Box
- Identification Number
- Na702 a-b
- Type of Item
- box
- Material
- porcupine quill, birch bark, wood, spruce root ?, metal and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- cut, punched and joined
- Overall
- height 16.0 cm, width 19.4 cm
Who
- Culture
- Mi'kmaq
- Previous Owner
- Wilhelm Helmer
- Received from
- Wilhelm Helmer (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- New Brunswick, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- during 1976
- Ownership Date
- before March 9, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on March 9, 1977
Other
- Condition
- poor
- Current Location
- Case 45
- Accession Number
- 0367/0007