. Bulletin. Ethnology. Anthrop. Pap. No. 17] ALGONQUIN BIRCHBARK—SPECK 261 mented usually show an arrangement of simple elements to form a whorl, the patterns being turned upon a center. The treatment of designs in composition among Algonquin artisans also runs to landscape representation, resulting in a stylicism which approaches the first steps of pictography. This tendency may be expected for a people so closely approximating, historically and geo- graphically, the cultural stature of the Ojibwa. The combination of animal and plant motives, with a smattering of celestial phenomena thrown in
. Bulletin. Ethnology. Anthrop. Pap. No. 17] ALGONQUIN BIRCHBARK—SPECK 261 mented usually show an arrangement of simple elements to form a whorl, the patterns being turned upon a center. The treatment of designs in composition among Algonquin artisans also runs to landscape representation, resulting in a stylicism which approaches the first steps of pictography. This tendency may be expected for a people so closely approximating, historically and geo- graphically, the cultural stature of the Ojibwa. The combination of animal and plant motives, with a smattering of celestial phenomena thrown in, comprises, in a certain proportion of the better decorated products, a panoramic display well suited to express the sylvan inter- ests of such a people. On the sides of the larger baskets where space invites a display of ornamentation, animals in silhouette appear posed in portraiture in the varied staging of pond, marsh, and clusters. Figure 18.—Designs from sides of birchbark dishes (River Desert Band). Elements of decoration representing flowers and blossoms (MAI, NMD, UPM). of deciduous and evergreen growths, especially lUies (the cow lily, Nymphaea advena) and pitcherplants, with easily recognizable reality of form and of action. The panoramic totalities are appealing in meaning to the eyes of the Algonquin, depicting to him in visible form the vision of his sleeping and his waking moments—the Utopia of plenty for a hunting and trapping tribe. So it happens that land- scapes of night as well as of day are laid out in composition on some of the containers. The distinguishing mark of night horizons is the presence of the star figure or the crescent moon above. The night scenes are strikingly realistic both in form and in concept, showing the familiarity of the artists with the activities of the wonderful animals chosen for portrayal—the bear, beaver, otter, deer. They stand out most vividly in the experience of the natives and seem to hold their place in the best a
Size: 1704px × 1467px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectethnolo, bookyear1901
