Sash from the historic Farquharson Collection

 

Some time ago, I had the opportunity to examine objects from the historic Farquharson Collection. The collection is one of the more important surviving groups of Eastern Woodlands and Great Lakes Indigenous material culture held in a museum setting, containing pieces that reflect both Native artistry and the complex trade relationships of the 18th and early 19th centuries.

During my visit, I spent time closely studying several of the original objects firsthand, paying special attention to weaving techniques, materials, color use, and construction details that are often difficult to understand through photographs alone.

This sash reproduction grew directly out of that research. Using observations gathered during the examination of the original example, I recreated the piece as a way to understand both the craftsmanship and the cultural knowledge behind these historic works. For me, reproducing these objects is part of the research process itself, a way of learning through the hands as much as through books and archives.

Copy and photography by James Blake.