Penobscot Root Club
Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Item 6650
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Native American carvers believed they were releasing the spirits of animals and birds from the wood they were working. Root clubs, which were made from the root bundles of immature gray birch trees, were used ceremonially. They were carried in dances and religious ceremonies, but became objects for tourist trade by the late nineteenth century.
This club has moose, birds, a war-bonneted Indian head, and "Poland Spring, Me." carved on it.
Other Information
- Title: Penobscot Root Club
- Creation Date: circa 1900
- Subject Date: circa 1900
- Town: Poland Spring
- County: Androscoggin
- State: ME
- Media: Birch, paint
- Dimensions (cm): 60 x
- Local Code: 1999.38
- Object Type: Physical Object
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822
http://www.mainehistory.org
Cross Reference Searches
LC Subject Headings
Native American artifacts
Indians of North America--Maine--Penobscots--Religious artifacts
Trees--Maine
Grey birch
Penobscot Indians--Maine
Other Keywords
Museum object
Native Americans
Nature, geography & animals
People
Religion & philosophy
Tourism
color image
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