Images(4)

Moosehair and Birch Bark Box by Unknown Maker

Dateca. 1856

OriginCanada (possibly)

MediumBirch bark & moose hair

DimensionsOH: 1 1/8", Diam.: 1 7/16", Circum.: 4 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford

Object number2009-160

DescriptionThis is a small cylindrical box, of the type known as a pill box. It consists of embroidery in moose hair on birch bark. The box is made in three parts, with a top lid, bottom base, and inner tight fitting liner.
The decoration on the box consists of a rose flower with leaves on the top; leaf with six buds on the side of the top; and six-leaf elements with two buds each on the side of the bottom. The seam on the top is decorated with white hairs couched with black thread.

Label TextPopular Native American tourist souvenirs of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were often made of bark and fabric objects embroidered in dyed moose hair. The objects were usually small cases such as sewing boxes and pill boxes like this one. Much of this type of work has been attributed to the Huron and Mikmaq. An inscription on the base of a similar box from the same family indicates it was purchased on Goat Island at Niagara Falls in 1856. This was a popular tourist site.
InscribedSee marks.
Markings"C.M.F. CORNELL -/ PURCHASED/ AUG 11- 1856/ AT NIAGARA FALLS/ ON/ GOAT ISLAND."
ProvenanceFrom the collection of Beatrix T. Rumford.