Headdress frontlet

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Artist/Maker Unknown artist

Datec. 1825-50

MediumWood with paint and abalone

DimensionsOverall: 7 1/2 × 5 13/16 × 2 3/4 in. (19.1 × 14.8 × 7 cm)

Credit LineTransferred from the Knox Hall of Natural History, Hamilton College

Object number1984.470

Not on view

DescriptionIn 1883, Hamilton College remodeled its Wunderkammer, or “Cabinet,” as the Knox Hall of Natural History, where collections of minerals and specimens of flora and fauna were exhibited in vitrines in two large rooms and used for the teaching of science. Ten years later, the Hamilton Literary Monthly noted that, in addition to that material, the Cabinet contained a large collection of “Indian relics” presented “from time to time” by Asahel Norton Brockway, Class of 1857. In addition to Brockway’s gifts, the Native American cultural objects contained in Knox Hall had likely been acquired by alumni—many of whom traveled west in a missionary capacity—over the course of the second half of the nineteenth century. The cultures of the American Southwest, Canadian Northwest, and American Plains were well represented through vessels, apparel, and tools. Some of the alumni noted as having given objects to Knox Hall are Henry Kendall, Class of 1840, who contributed a feast dish from the Northwest Coast; Benjamin W. Arnold, Class of 1886, who donated a number of baskets; and James H. Glass, H1912. Upon the opening of the Emerson Gallery, a number of the divergent collections on campus were transferred there for safekeeping, including more than one hundred Native American objects that had formerly been displayed in Knox Hall, which closed in 1925, and were subsequently stored in the Anthropology Department. Several of them are reproduced here and on the following spread. (SOURCE: Alcauskas, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, HONORED TRADITIONS, 2017) Worn on ceremonial occasions, this wooden headress frontlet would have been mounted on a cylindrical frame-work covered with fur or trade cloth and surmounted with sea lion whiskers and flicker feathers. An attached fall of ermine skins would have covered the wearer's shoulders and back. The frontlet is carved of alder wood and features stylized animal figures with red, black, and blue-green paint, surrounded by inlaid abalone, which has been restored. Holes are drilled along all edges.

Collections

Additional Details

Exhibition History 2017
Clinton, NY (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College). "Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions: The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Five Years, Highlights from the Permanent Collection," September 9 - December 10, 2017 (cat. no. 41, illus.);

2007
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Highlights from the Permanent Collection," February 19 - April 15, 2007 (no catalog);

2006
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Selections from the Permanent Collection," January 16 - December 30, 2006 (no catalog);

2005
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Hamilton Collects, A Century of Curiosities: The Story of the Hamilton College Collection," September 29 - December 30, 2005 (unnumbered cat., illlus. 5);

1985
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Wonderful Heroes Fearsome Creatures," November 2 - December 14, 1985 (cat. no. 16, illus. 6).

Provenance 1984: Hamilton College (Emerson Gallery), by transfer from the Anthropology Department;
? - 1984: Hamilton College (Anthropology Department), by transfer from the Knox Hall of Natural History;
by 1925: Hamilton College (Knox Hall of Natural History), by gift from an unknown donor (research pending).

Markings Label: white adhesive label with "NANW53 / (E37)" in blue ink at upper reverse.

Published References Katherine D. Alcauskas, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, HONORED TRADITIONS: THE RUTH AND ELMER WELLIN MUSEUM OF ART AT FIVE YEARS, HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION (Clinton, NY: Wellin Museum of Art, 2017), p. 118;

WONDERFUL HEROES FEARSOME CREATURES: ART OF THE NORTHWEST COAST exh. cat. (Clinton, NY: Fred L. Emerson Gallery, 1985), 28, illus. 6.

Signature Not signed.

Inscribed "E37" on upper reverse in ink; "50 [illegible] 85" on lower reverse in blue ink.