Quilled Underwater Panther Bag by Jim Taylor for the American Museum of Natural History

Great Lakes Quilled Underwater Panther bag 1750s -1780s

I was approached recently by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City to replace a piece from and existing exhibit of Great Lakes Quillwork that was on loan from the Canadian Museum of Civilization /Musée Canadien des Civilisations. This particular exhibit was featured around the Underwater Panther & Horned Serpent legends and the Canadian loan was soon to expire resulting in I being commissioned to do an Underwater Panther style bag to be featured in a permanent exhibit at the AMNH.

The Bag is quilled on braintanned deer, dyed with Black Walnut hulls. The bag is a false flap style that was a common feature. I used the zig-zag/sawtooth and single line techniques, along with tin cones with red dyed deer hair and using real genuine quahog wampum beads made by me. The edging on the bag was done using Trade glass wampum beads. The strap is  finger woven wool by me as well The bag will be on permanent display at the AMNH in NYC beginning in September 2011.

Copy and photos supplied by Jim Taylor / Swift Fox.