A Unique Northeastern Embroidered and Painted Deerhide

A Unique Northeastern Embroidered and Painted Deerhide

19th century

softly tanned hide, with silk and finely wrapped leather embroidery creating an intricate floral design; further embellished with red, blue, and yellow pigments, faceted brass beads.

The function of this piece is unknown. Various opinions suggest It may have been used as a runner on a table, or potentially a covering for a Catholic altar.

length 51 inches x width 19 inches

Included is a file of correspondence regarding the age, tribal attribution, and function from the following institutions:

-Musee de L'Homme, Anne Fardoulis, (1978)
-Nova Scotia Museum, Ruth H. Whitehead, to Denis B. Alsford, National Museums of Canada (1978)
-University of Pennsylvania, John D. Witthoft (nd)
-Royal Ontario Museum, Arni Brownstone (1978)
-National Museum of Natural History - Smithsonian Institution, Kate Duncan (1979)
-Pigment Analysis, Walter C. McCrone Associates, Inc., Chicago (1984)
-AMS Radiocarbon Dating, University of Arizona, Tucson (1996)

Also included is a 1997 appraisal.

For a similar example identified as possibly Huron, and noted at the time of publication: Whether this object was functional in intent or an exercise in embroidery is not known. There does not appear to be another published skin like it. See Pleasing the Sprits (Ewing 1982: fig, 361, pg. 304).

This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Native American & Prehistoric Art