Great Lakes Quilled Bag by Eli Motsay

This bag is based on a specimen formerly in the Speyer collection and is now in the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The only change I've made is in the suspension of the cones. I've employed the use of imitation wampum (original is quill wrapped thongs, although most of them are now missing) a fairly common commodity in the Northeast and Great Lakes in the last half of the 18th Century.

Copy and photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Quilled and Beaded Moccasins by Eli Motsay

Photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Quillwork Bag by Eli Motsay

Photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Quillwork Pouch by Eli Motsey

Photos supplied by Eli Motsey.

Quillwork Bandolier Style Pouch by Eli Motsay

I leaned heavily on design contents from original examples that were collected during or around the time of the American Revolution.

Copy and photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Drawstring Quilled Pouch by Eli Motsay

Note. These type of quilled pouches are always decorated on both sides as opposed to the bandolier quilled pouch. This one is based on one in Ireland. The example was in rough shape so I had to go with what I envisioned its original appearance was. Glass bead edging and use is also prevalent on every example which comes to mind. Sylvia Kasprycki wrote a great article on quilled drawstring pouches in American Indian Art Magazine (Summer 1997 issue) which is probably still available through them.

Copy and photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Quilled Hi-Top Boot Moccasins by Eli Motsay

There are 2 different single examples of these in museums in  U.K. collections. Rare as they may seem by existing examples there are fair amount of period images from the 17th through early 19th century where they appear to be of this variety. The examples are most likely last quarter of the 18th century based on a few solid variables (materials, collection history, design content, etc..).

Copy and photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Quilled Bag by Eli Motsay with Strap by Josh Brevik

The strap is a copy of one from CMCC which was collected by Sir John Caldwell who was stationed at both Niagara and Detroit during the American Revolution.

Copy and photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Knife Sheaths by Eli Motsay with Strap by Ward Oles

glass wampum bias woven straps

Photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Quilled Bag by Eli Motsay

Photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Eli Motsay Quilled Knife Sheath and Strap

Photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Eli Motsay Quilled Knife Sheath and Strap

Photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Eli Motsay Quilled Apron

This is a quilled apron of which there is only a handful of originals in existence and a bit of mystery of there exact use. There are 2 quilled aprons in much the same style Alanson Skinner wrote about that are associated with war bundles. Perhaps they were used in dancing and also worn while returning home from a successful expedition whether it be a war or hunting party. This piece also incorporates design elements from 3 existing aprons. They are sometimes called kilts although apron is more appropriate. 

Copy and photo supplied by Eli Motsay.

Eli Motsay Quilled Bag

The quilled bag uses design elements from 3 different original pouch designs to make one cohesive original (borrowed from) design that I like to think if placed next to an original in a museum is just another "old" quilled bag.

Copy and photos supplied by Eli Motsay.

Tobacco Bag by Ward Oles with Strap by Eli Motsay

This is a recreation of a mid 18th century painted panel bag based on a number of examples including those in the Musee du Quai Branly, Paris; and the Arosen bag in the Deerfield Museum, MA. This type of bag had a wide geographic and cultural range of use from the East into the Midwest and up into the Northwestern Great Lakes region. The earliest known examples of this style of bag pre-date 1720. Many thanks are in order to Eli Motsay, Mike Galban, George Sluder, and Tom Connin for the inspiration and input into making this bag possible.

Dimensions: 18 inches overall length by 5 inches wide.  8 ply plaited strap made by Eli Motsay (length of strap 38 inches)

Materials:

Braintan deer skin

Porcupine quills

Deer hair

Tin and brass cones

True Vermillion

Black Ochre

Sucker roe

Copy and photo supplied by Ward Oles.

Quilled Bag by Eli Motsay, Eric Elias and Ward Oles

This is a close reproduction of an original 18th century bag housed in the Karl May Museum, Dresden, Germany. The reproduction consists of 7 half-tanned deer legs with dew claws attached, 30 tinned iron cones individually quill wrapped on the bag face, 42 cones on the quill netted base, an 8 strand quill plaited strap, with imitation wampum accents. This is one of 2 such Native bags constructed of tanned deer legs, possibly showing a Germanic influence as per a few European examples constructed of Stag and or Reindeer. The original had considerable wear including missing cones, hair slippage, missing quills, etc. This bag was a collaborative effort of Eli Motsay, Eric Elias and Ward Oles.

Copy and Photos supplied by Ward Oles.

Eli Motsay Quilled Pouch with strap by Bill Mertens

The strap is imitation wampum.

Supplied Photo.

Eli Motsay

On the left is a Head Ornament made of a series of plaited strands with a quill wrapped tube containing feathers on the front, this ornament is tied around the head.

Second from left is a Roach that is worn as a scalp lock decoration. Below it's base is a panel of netted quill work, one of the most difficult quill techniques known. Eric Elias made that portion, another emerging artist.

Above right is another hair ornament made of glass wampum, it too is tied as a decoration on one's scalp lock.

Below middle is a drawstring bag of Eli's own design. Besides the quillwork , he has glass wampum and some painted decoration.

Far right is a quilled and painted Moccasin of Eli's design.

Copy by Tom Connin and photo supplied by Eli Motsay.

Eli Motsay Quilled Pouch

The pouch Eli copied is from the NMAI collections. This pouch is done faithfully with the only addition by Eli being a strap. Here he uses the "plaiting" technique to form multiple strands or cords that are joined in the middle with glass wampum. It is felt that the original bag was made by the Delaware nation.

Copy by Tom Connin. Photo by Eli Motsay.

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.