Tom Connin Painted Map on Hide

A Map Draught on Deare Skinn by a Cacique de Scribing

the Scituation of several of Ye Savage Nations to the NW of

our S Carolina colonies

Tom Connin : c.1721 SE Map done on Braintan Deer Hide, Earth Pigments, Hide Glue, 32" X 44"

Photo supplied by Tom Connin.

From The Hands Of Many Friends

HEAD:

Grunt work - Paul Jones

Welding - Glenn McClain

Pipe bowl - Ed Thomas

Finish file work - Bob Harn & Mike Gahagan

HANDLE:

Paul Jones

MEDICINE AMULET:

Tom Connin

BEADED DROP:

Norbert Kohlruss

Attaching drop to handle by sinew sewing and ageing - Tom Connin

Photos by P of KY.

Alan Gutchess Trade Mirror with Antique Trade Beads

The trade beads are ones picked up by Tom Connin from different sources. (I can just get lost looking at these beads. J.R.)

Photo by Tom Connin.

Tom Connin Painted Robe Fragment

I would call this a fragment of a wearing Robe, a piece that survives from the turn of the century, (very early 19 century). It's done on brain tanned Buffalo hide and is painted with earth pigments mixed with hide glue and mounted in a frame. The original Robe this is borrowed from is now in the Musee du quai Branly, Paris.

Here's a detail from the Robe fragment. He could be the leader of the group since he is the Pipe Carrier. He's dressed in a Coat that could also signify position and he is wearing a magnificent Feathered Bonnet. Note too the Scalp hanging from his Horse's reigns, a successful Warrior. T.C.
Photos by Tom Connin.

Antique Leather Trunk Reimagined by Steven Lalioff with Help from Tom Connin

I just finished this. It only took me a decade Since the idea entered my head. Over the years, I’ve collected dozens of 18th and 19th century leather bound trunks ...some near perfect, others just fragments for study. Originally made in Vermont, this trunk dated to 1828, based upon what remained of the newspaper lining. The leather had long turned to dust but the wood, lock and handles were sound. I decided to do something unique with the “restoration”. I called upon my dear friend Tom Connin to paint a buffalo robe in the manor of the Sioux. “Just paint fragments...don’t worry about orientation, I want it to look like someone cut up a damaged robe”, I told him. I then used those large swatches to re-leather the trunk. My idea being, it should look like something William Clark or George Catlin might have commissioned a trunk maker to do in order to preserve damaged robes that they collected among the Western Tribes in the 1830’s.

Copy and photography by Steven Lalioff.

Alan Gutchess, Jan Zender, Tom Connin, Roger Dickson with Antique Beads

Crosses are by Alan Gutchess, round gorget by Jan Zender, pipe stem by Tom Connin and pipe bowl by Roger Dickinson with antique beads.

Photo by P of KY.

Calumet by Tom Connin with Ken Hamilton and James Blake for Richard Guthrie

This is not a copy of a old original, since there's not one that did survive. It's suppose to represent a Calumet from the South East. There are accounts of them and two poor drawings from the period, but that's it. There are Pipe Bowls from the SE that have survived and this one is a copy of one of those. Would like to mention that Ken Hamilton made the Pipe Bowl and James Blake made the Woodpecker Bills, the rest was my work.

Copy and photos by Tom Connin.

Richard Gutherie Scalper for Tom Connin

Jan Zender brass trade bracelet

Photos supplied by Tom Connin.

Elm Burl Pipe By James Blake & Tom Connin

I copied this pipe from a original that is supposedly Wyandotte in origin. This pipe measures 4 1/2" long. Tom Connin supplied the original beads.

Copy and photos supplied by James Blake.

Tom Connin

Photos supplied by Tom Connin.

Quilled Belt Pouch by Tom Connin

A quilled bag that is a copy of one in the McCord Museum in Canada. It's a belt pouch, worn at the waist, tied by the cord.

Photos supplied by Tom Connin.

Jan Zender Sheath with Gina Connin Strap

This Knife case was made by Jan Zender. It's done in the Loom work technique using extremely fine quills. The strap was done in the Loom technique as well , Gina Connin made that portion. The knife was a bone handled table knife that's been cut down into a scalper.

Photos by Tom Connin.

White/Indian Bag

I would like this bag to represent a blending of different cultures. There were individuals on the frontier who were just as comfortable in the cities as they were in the native villages and a token from each world could show status / position / authority. Perhaps too, nothing more than the willingness to accept and be a part or member. Here was the exchange of materials and design. There are seven known artists represented here and two unknown.

This bag was made by Brad Mills from vegetable tanned Deer hide, lined with a course linen. The Horn a old original picked up at a Flea Market.

The Horn has been engraved lightly by Kathy Sibley. The designs are Native....a mix of castellated motifs, elongated triangles, plus small crosshatched areas.

There was a button at one time to hold the flap closed. It has since been exchanged with a religious medal. The medal was made by Ward Oles. I would invite you to visit his website, "At The Eastern Door" where you can learn the meaning of this particular medal and view his period correct and other fine offerings.

Two fingerwoven straps. The red bodied example was woven by Tom Conde. His also incorporates two resist dye areas, a early decorative technique. Tim Connin, (the other) wove the red and blue example......(I had to pull some strings to acquire this). One can see how a selvage edge, (if there were two) would be interlocked to the body color. Where this one, (based on a original) enlarges a single selvage to create a unique example.

Horn tip powder measure attached by a piece of twisted silk ribbon. Wish I could say who made the measurer. I picked it up so long ago, I've forgotten who made it. Perhaps it was Mr. Hayes ? If you recognize your work....please let me know.

A single stand of genuine Wampum. This is modern made and is sold by the Six Nations in Canada.

Used in the background in all of these photos is a piece of braintan Antelope hide. My friend Manfred Weiss tanned it. What makes that unique is Manfred came all the way from Austria to tan the hides here in Ohio. Recently Manfred spent time in India teaching braintan techniques to some tanners there.

My contribution to all of this is having the good fortune to have been able to assemble this fine work from the varied sources. My Thanks goes to each and every artist. Keep up the Good Work !!! T.C.

Photos by Tom Connin.

Mississinewa 1812:Photos

Mississinewa 1812 is the largest War of 1812 living history event in the United States. Sponsored by the Mississinewa Battlefield Society Inc, Marion, Indiana with the support of the Department of Natural Resources. It is a historical commemoration of the Battle of Mississinewa fought here on December 17-18, 1812.

Jan Zender, Tim Connin, Steven Lalioff and Mike Wilson

(not in this order)

This Coat looks like it's from the period, it's absolutely Beautiful!

Coat still in the works...

That's only part of the crowd, there's a bunch more behind me.

More about Mississinewa 1812 can be found here.

Photos and photo descriptions from Tom Connin.

Eli Motsay Quilled Bag with Net Weaving by Eric Elias

Eli Motsay based this work on the Amherst bag that's now in the Chicago Field Museum. Eli quilled the bag and plaited the strap, but the central section of the strap was done by Eric Elias. The technique is called net weaving and is very difficult, only a few attempt it, he did a excellent job. Eli and Eric are from California. T.& T. Connin

Photo Supplied by Tim and Tom Connin.

Painted Buffalo Robe by Tom Connin

Brain Tanned Buffalo Hide, Earth Pigments, Porcupine Quills
Measurements 6' 7" X 6' 10"

Details from the buffalo robe.

An artist's statement and additional images of Tom's work can be seen at his web site.