Contributed by Abbe Museum
- Item 80754
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This record was added to Maine Memory Network through the efforts of a student at George Stevens Academy. More info about student projects.
Description
This wooden comb would have been used to comb the long strands of sweet grass, preparing the fragrant material for use in baskets.
Sweet grass was, and is, very widely used by North American Indians for a variety of purposes. It is sometimes used as a sacred plant peace and healing rituals but has many everyday uses as well. The leaves can be dried and made into braids and burned as vanilla-scented incense; used as stuffing for mattresses; or to make baskets and rugs.
About This Item
- Title: Sweet grass comb, 19th century, ca. 1800
- Creator: Penobscot
- Creation Date: circa 1800
- Subject Date: circa 1800
- Location: Indian Island, Penobscot County, ME
- Media: Wood
- Dimensions: 16.5 cm x 8.3 cm
- Local Code: 3071
- Collection: Mary Cabot Wheelwright Collection
- Object Type: Physical Object
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Basket making--Equipiment and supplies
- Indian art--North America
- Indians of North America--Maine--Implements
- Indians of North America--Maine--Penobscot Indians
- Implements, utensils, etc.--United States
- Abenaki Indians
- Penobscot Indians
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Abbe Museum26 Mount Desert Street, PO Box 286, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-3519
Website
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