Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Root clubs are made from the root bundles of immature gray birch trees, and were carried during special events. Carvers continued to make root clubs for Wabanaki communities, and also used their expertise to create a new genre during the late 1800s to early 1900s.
The Victorian tourist market allowed carvers to perpetuate traditional skills, while they explored new motifs and expressions based on a modern reality, influenced by global experiences.
Carvings sometimes morphed to fit market expectations of what “Indian” art looked like, occasionally showing a Native person in iconic Plains-style regalia. This club has moose, birds, a war-bonneted Indian head, and "Poland Spring, Me." carved on it.
About This Item
- Title: Penobscot root club, Poland Springs, ca. 1900
- Creation Date: circa 1900
- Subject Date: circa 1900
- Location: Poland Spring, Androscoggin County, ME
- Media: Birch, paint
- Local Code: 1999.38
- Object Type: Physical Object
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Grey birch
- Indians of North America--Maine--Penobscots--Religious artifacts
- Native American artifacts
- Penobscot Indians--Maine
- Trees--Maine
- Wabanaki Indians
Other Keywords
- color image
- Museum object
- Native Americans
- Nature, geography & animals
- People
- Religion & philosophy
- Tourism
- Wabanaki
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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