Description

"This Chippewa (Ojibwa)sewing basket is 10 1/2 inches in diameter by 7 inches high and is made from medium red brown birch bark. The design is made from porcupine quills, alternating in clumps of green clover and clumps of red hearts. There is a matching cover. This sewing basket was made by Gertrude Morris, a Minnesota Chippewa Indian from Cass Lake, Minnesota. I found this basket at the Consolidated Chippewa Fair at Cass Lake, bought it, and Mr. C. C. Bemis, agent for the Indian Field Service at Cass Lake was good enough to send it. "
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.

The cover is attached to the basket by a small leather tether that acts as a hinge. The pattern on the cover is of white and pink circles connected by green vines. The quills on the top and one of the clover sides are chipping and missing.