Letter Holder or Book Cover
NameLetter Holder or Book Cover
CultureMi'kmaq
Date1900-1925
Place madeNortheast Coast, Nova Scotia, Canada, North America
MediumFeather quills, silk, glass beads
Dimensions14 3/4 × 10 1/8 × 1 3/16 in. (37.4651 × 25.7176 × 3 cm)
Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Lloyd E. Cotsen and the Neutrogena Corporation, A.1995.93.1090
Object numberA.1995.93.1090
DescriptionA quill work medicine pouch or cover: Two rectangular panels, approximately 7" by 10 1/4", are sewn together along one long side, creating a hinge at that point. Each is embroidered with the same design using various colors of dyed quills. A large "X" shape dominates the designs. Pushing in from each side are step-edged cruciform shapes. Design shapes and bands are filled with diamond shapes, triangles and "X''s". The edges are embroidered with a glass bead trim, and there is a dark silk cord at the center where the two panels join; colors are natural white, blue, blue-green, browns, pale yellow. Most likely this bag belonged to a medicine man. Color: Vegetal colors of blue, light red-brown, tan, blue-green, natural white, dark brown and pale yellow. Technique: quill-work and beading techniques and sewn
