Mat Needle Item Number: Nbz846 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Cattail-mat needle. Long, bowed, wooden needle, flat on one side, rounded on the other. Has one pointed end, other has the eye and is flattened and shaped.
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
- Nbz846
- Type of Item
- needle
- Material
- ocean-spray wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and split
- Overall
- height 74.0 cm, width 1.4 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
- good
- Accession Number
- 1768/0069