four-sided handle with large ball at end; delineated handle; lines carved on top and bottom of handle; bird, snakes, plant forms and dancing human carved on sides of handle

Club, c. 1750-1800

probably Anishinaabe (Ojibwe)expand_more

Woodexpand_more

The Driscoll Art Accessions Endowment Fundexpand_more  2004.103.2

Not on Viewexpand_more

This rare club features a horned figure carved into the top, which may represent maymaygwayshi, or water spirits that dwell on riverbanks. Although usually nonthreatening, maymaygwayshi can be mischievous and may blow your canoe away from shore if you don’t show the proper respect. The long snakelike figures are mishebeshu, or underwater panthers. The ball club was an important weapon, so men often cultivated trees near the river bank, working over several years to establish a “crook” between the roots and the trunks of young saplings that would eventually evolve into a burl that could be carved into the circular shape you see here.

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Details
Title
Club
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2004.103.2
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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four-sided handle with large ball at end; delineated handle; lines carved on top and bottom of handle; bird, snakes, plant forms and dancing human carved on sides of handle

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