Two halves of coconut nutshells. Each shell is intact, with the dried husk extending out as brush bristles. (Small piece of tape adhered to the side of each shell with collector number.)

« According to Rogers (1967, p. 66), both men and women among the Mistassini wore their hair long and thick. If bear grease was being eaten, some was likely to be rubbed on the hair, as this was believed to increase the hair's blackness and glossiness. The Speck collection contains two objects from the Natasquan band identified as brushes which were used to comb the hair and possibly also to brush in grease. Both consist of narrow, tapered pieces of wood around the distal ends of which sections of a porcupine's tail have been wrapped and lashed with sinew. The handles of both specimens, one round and the other deeply notched, are painted with red pigment (fig. 29e-f). The brush with the notched handle has a twine wrist strap. » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), Vanstone p.17, fig 29e (p.57).

« According to Rogers (1967, p. 66), both men and women among the Mistassini wore their hair long and thick. If bear grease was being eaten, some was likely to be rubbed on the hair, as this was believed to increase the hair's blackness and glossiness. The Speck collection contains two objects from the Natasquan band identified as brushes which were used to comb the hair and possibly also to brush in grease. Both consist of narrow, tapered pieces of wood around the distal ends of which sections of a porcupine's tail have been wrapped and lashed with sinew. The handles of both specimens, one round and the other deeply notched, are painted with red pigment (fig. 29e-f). The brush with the notched handle has a twine wrist strap. » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), Vanstone p.17, fig 29f (p.57).

FROM CARD: "WOODEN, OF PAINT BRUSH. CARVED."Appears Northwest Coast style rather than Eskimo.

The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.

THE SHUSWAP. TEIT, JAMES MEMOIRS, 4, 1909

THE NATIVE AMERICANS: THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF NORTH AMERICA. TAYLOR, COLIN F., 1991, Publisher: SALAMANDER BOOKS, LTD THE THOMPSON INDIANS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. TEIT, JAMES MEMOIRS, 2, 1900