Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Mali Agat (Pigwacket Abenaki), also called Molly Ockett (circa 1740-1816) made the fabric for this purse. Agat created the fabric by twining porcupine quill, wool, and hemp, which was then woven with intricate geometric patterns.
In addition to her artistry, Agat was known as a Wabanaki “doctress.” Her Pigwacket Homelands ranged from modern day Bethel to Quebec. Agat learned English and traveled widely among Native people and European settlers in northern New England and southern Quebec, selling her goods and offering her medical knowledge.
Around 1785, Mali Agat provided the fabric for this purse to Eli Twitchell of Bethel, who reportedly added the silver clasp in 1788. Twitchell's daughter Lucia (Twitchell) Kimball donated the purse to Maine Historical Society in 1863.
About This Item
- Title: Purse with fabric woven by Mali Agat, ca. 1785
- Creation Date: circa 1785
- Subject Date: circa 1785
- Location: Bethel, Oxford County, ME
- Media: Porcupine quills, hemp, wool, silver
- Dimensions: 12 cm x 16 cm
- Local Code: 610*
- Object Type: Physical Object
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Indian baskets
- Indians of North America--Maine
- Indians of North America--New Hampshire
- Ockett, Molly--Associated objects
- Pequawket Indians
- Pockets
- Purses
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
More to Consider
Item 1474
Birch bark box by Mali Agat, ca. 1770
Exhibit
Holding up the Sky: Wabanaki people, culture, history, and art
My Maine Story
Mali Agat (Molly Ockett) the famous Wabanaki "Doctress"
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