Birchbark Container with Flowers & Ducks

Etched Long Birchbark Container with Flowers and Ducks

This long Birchbark Container features etched Duck and Flower designs.  The artist etched the designs on the back of the Birchbark while it was still green.  As it dried, the image darkened.  The artist used spruce root to hold it together.  He stitched together two pieces of Birchbark for the cover.  The cover is very sturdy and you can take it completely off the container.   Flower designs appear on all sides of the container. On the top you will see two Duck images.  A piece of Braintanned Deerskin Leather Lacing serves as a carrying handle.

Birchbark containers are traditional containers made from the bark of birch trees. They are typically used by Indigenous people in North America for storing and transporting food, clothing, and other items.  This Container stands 5″ tall. The bottom measures 13″ x 5.5″.  The cover measures 14″ x  7.5″.  This basket came from a collection. You will see some water stains on the bottom and a little warping on the cover.  It is in good condition structurally.  One of a Kind!

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Read the Denver Art Museum Leaflet Birchbark and the Indian!