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Canadian Moosehair
1880's

case for cigars, of birchbark construction covered with brown wool facecloth and embroidered with dyed moosehair in shades of pink, salmon, blue, green, ivory, with strawberries and flowers, in a variety of stitches such as long and short, satin and stem and French knots to give the raised three dimensional effect. the inside with ink writing on the birchbark (see comments) 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 1/4 in ;16 x 9 x3 cm.

Comments

Small boxes like this were made by Nuns of the Ursuline Convent, Quebec in the 1880's and sold as souvenirs. The designs reflect European taste. There is a very similar one illustrated in "Treasures from the Embroiders' Guild Collection" in the N American chapter, p 69 (T & H 1991). Inside on the plain birchbark is written "Crimean Work in Grasses 1855 " which is totally incorrect information.

Condition

The colours have faded and there is some wear as can be seen by the photos.