Description

"A 12 inch high by 11 1/2 inch in diameter waste basket, made by the Ojibwas (Chippewas) out of two of their favorite materials: birch bark and porcupine quills. The birch bark basket is dark medium brown, while the quills are colored red, blue, white, green and formed into flowers and leaves, scattered around the basket in clump designs. The Chippewas always used floral or semi-realistic decorations on their work. I (Cleora Helbing) used this as my waste basket all the years I was in the Indian Service."
Indians of the Northeast Woodlands excelled in Porcupine Quillwork. Quillwork is perhaps the oldest form of Native American embroidery, and quill work on bark may be even older. The quills are gathered, dyed, soaked in water and flattened. The birch bark is punched with an awl along the edge of the desired design. The quills are then tucked into the holes and folded over much like a modern staple.