Mat Needle Item Number: Nbz845 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Long, bowed, wooden mat needle. Flat on one side and triangular on the other. One end flares out to a diamond shaped point with the tip missing. The other end has a small thin triangular hole cut out. Knotted brown fabric tied through the triangular hole.
History Of Use
Mat needles are used for sewing together, and crimping, mats made from cat-tail and tule reeds.
Cultural Context
domestic; plant technology
Specific Techniques
According to Dr. Michael Kew, Coast Salish mat needles were normally made from the wood of a plant called ocean spray or ironwood. They were made by splitting the vertical stalk to create two needles, flat on one side and rounded on the other.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada between 1870 and 1890
- Collected in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada ?
- Owned by Thomas R. Richardson before 1998
- Owned by Frances M. Richardson before November 18, 1998
- Received from Frances M. Richardson (Donor) on November 18, 1998
What
- Name
- Mat Needle
- Identification Number
- Nbz845
- Type of Item
- needle
- Material
- fibre and ocean spray wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- split and stained
- Overall
- height 103.9 cm, width 0.7 cm, depth 0.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish
- Previous Owner
- Thomas R. Richardson and Frances M. Richardson
- Received from
- Frances M. Richardson (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada ?
When
- Creation Date
- between 1870 and 1890
- Ownership Date
- before 1998 and before November 18, 1998
- Acquisition Date
- on November 18, 1998
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 3
- Accession Number
- 1768/0068