Quilled Knife Case from Eastern Great Lakes

Collection: Warnock
Category: Knife-Knife Case
Region: Northeast
Tribe: Great Lakes - Eastern Great Lakes
Period: 1775-1800
Materials: Native tanned and black dyed deerskin; dyed and natural porcupine quills; brass cones and dyed red deerhair.
Description: Knife case is decorated with quillwork including a heart shaped design in red, yellow and white quills, a central vertical band in red, black, and yellow, zigzag white lines, etc. Case is attached to neck strap which includes segment of netted quillwork.

Dimensions: Length (with strap) 20.5 inches 52 cm; Length (case only) 10.4 inches 26 cm
Provenance: Charles Messiter Collection, Alexander Gallery, Epic Fine Arts Co./Masco Corp.

Exhibitions: Akicita, The Southwest Museum, Los Angeles, May 17 1983 - July 10, 1983

Splendid Heritage, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Santa Fe, May 27, 1995 - September 27, 1995,
Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, October 23, 1998 - October 3, 1999
Splendid Heritage, The Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City, February 10, 2009 - March 1, 2010
References: Sotheby's Auction Catalogue, Sotheby's, New York, Sale 4842Y, Lot 287, April 24, 1982

Warnock, John and Marva, eds, Splendid Heritage: Perspectives on American Indian Art, University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 2009, pp 71

Copy and photos from Splendid Heritage.