Bear Basket
MediumPorcupine quill, birchbark, and sweetgrass
Dimensions12" dia. X 4"
Classifications3D Object
Object number2006.006.01
DescriptionCircular basket (with lid [a] and bottom [b]) with a base made of birchbark, edges wrapped with sweetgrass (held down with black fishing line?) and decorative work made of porcupine quills. The outside of the top and bottom have a geometric pattern comprised of undyed porcupine quills (white and brown). The top of the lid has a border made up of red and white quills. The background color is white quills. There is a bear (dark brown body and light brown snout) with its left side visible in the center. Below the bear is coho salmon with its right side visible (comprised of various shades of gray and brown). Around the salmon and the bear are 8 bunches of blueberries (blue, black, and green quills) and four bunches of strawberries (red, green, and brown quills). Did not remove lid because it is stuck down pretty good and don't want to cause any damage to outside of item (will need conservator possibly). Information from original excel spreadsheet (H:\Collections-Ethnology Division\2006 Acquisitions\2006.006.001)- Basket was purchased from Naomi McCoy Shonosh. Description about baskets reads: April 2006 12 in. quill box from Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada made by artist Weekgushk[sic] (sweetgrass). Reserve Wikimikong[sic] (3 fires, ottawa, ojibway & pottawatomi). Commissioned by Ahbenogmabeesh (Sac & fox/ Mohawk/Cayuga) for her husband Gimmaqeeshk (Chiefs day - Pottawatomi & Ojibway) Medicine erpson[sic] of Walpole Island, Ontario Canada for his 56th birthday in Nov. 2001. Gimmageeshk is bear clan (keepers of the medicines) Abenogmabush wanted the gift to represent his clan and the foods that the bear eats. Strawberries, blueberries and the coho salmon. The gift was given with much love but Gimmaqeeshk was struck with a massive stroke 3 weeks befor his 56th birthday. Ahbenogmabeesh had to part with the basket and wanted the three fires people to hold this beautiful piece of art. Purchased from the CPN CHC on 4.14.06 for 1800.00". Handwritten note on sheet of paper dated April 2006 reads "12 in. Quill box from Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada made by artist Weengushk (sweetgrass) Reserve Wikimikong (3 fires, ottawa, ojibway & pottawatomi [sic]). Commissioned by Ahbenogmabeesh (Sax & fox [sic]/Mohawk/Cayuga) for her husband Gimmaqeeshk (chiefs day- Pottawatomie [sic] & Ojibway medicine person/ healer) of Walpole Island, Ontario, Canada for his 56th birthday in Nov. 2001. Gimmageeshk is bear blan (keepers of the medicines) Abenogmabeesh[sic] wanted the gift to represent his Clan and the foods that the bear eats. Strawberrys[sic], blueberries and the coho salmon. The gift was given with much love but Gimmaqeeshk was struck with a massive stroke 3 weeks before his 56th birthday. Ahbenogmabeesh had to part with the basket and wanted the Three Fires People to hold this beautiful piece of art". The Collection Corner By Stacy S. Pero (previous Collection Manager) reads, "The image (photo of basket) consists of a bear and all of the foods that the bear eats which are strawberries, blueberries and the Coho Salmon. So the person who made the basket, was mkaing it for an individual who possibly belonged to the Bear Clan. The basket is 12 inches in diameter and is made up of Porcupine Quills, Sweetgrass, which lines the top and bottom edges of the basket, and Birch bark, which makes up the cover and base of the basket. The fresh aroma of this container is still very much apparent when the glass case is removed. The basket was commissioned in 2001 by a member of the 3 Fires Band of Indians from the Wikimikong[sic] Reserve in Mantoulin[sic] Island, Canada. Traditionally, the art form of quilling is probably the oldest form of embroidery among the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains Indians. Porcupine quills were used for adornment prior to the introduction of glass beads by the Europeans in the mid-1800's. Subsequently, beads which became more easily attainable through trade, later took the place of these quills. In the Eastern Woodlands, porcupine quills were used to decorate anything from clothing and everyday accessories to birch bark containers that were used to store foodstuffs in. Quills were dyed in various plant dyes to get certain colors, thus enhancing the effect and art form of the quillwork. Today, quillwork is considered a 'lost art' due to the fact that artists now use beads to adorn their garments and other accessories. However, this basket give us an indication that there are Natives out there still carrying on this rare, but not yet 'lost' tradition". Artist's name is on the bottom of the item "Clarence Pangowish, 2001".Collections