E0661: Inuit- Needle Case

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0661

Classification Category:

4:Tools & Equipment for Materials ➞ Textileworking T&E

Marks/Labels:

1915 in red ink
Tag: "Needle - Case"

Materials:

animal ➔ bone
botanical ➔ wood

Dimensions:

13.5 cm L
1.5 cm W
1.2 cm H

Use/Function:

"Needle cases were often designed and carved by men to be given to their wives and portray images of Inuit life. The cases were a source of pride and sentimental value for each woman. Inuit women would have used needles for the never ending sewing and repair work on clothes, blankets, and all kinds of other materials. Each Inuit tribe would carve in different styles and patterns. The needle itself would have been attached to a leather strip that would be able to be pulled in and out of the case for easy use." - To the Cage and Back, Anthropology Lab Exhibit
"Sewing kits were invaluable for keeping tools together and would contain many things including: a thimble, needles, an awl, spools of thread and a moccasin creaser. These items would be tied together via caribou sinew thread and then tied to a belt or hung around her neck attached to the drawstrings of her coat and carried with them. Needle cases were carved by their husbands and decorated with images raging from geometric shapes to depictions of day-to-day life."- All the Small Things, EXH 2015.03

Source Locality:

Brevig Mission, Alaska, USA

Acquisition Date:

November 2 1898

Description:

Inuit carved needle case. Used for holding sewing needles. The engraved village scenes show a western-style house and shed, dogs, a person and two hides. The other side has an igloo, shed and drying racks.

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