Stunning 19th Century Mi'kmaq Birch Covered, Porcupine Quill Decorated Box tin bank with the well worn mark

with the well worn mark of James Brown

I have seen pieces of this ilk described as "mixed metal"--I think it is likely lead/pewter

With their great color combinations and especially their fantastically shaped hats and bases

The bold choice of gold mat in combination with gilded frame here thus feels quite right and specific

I believe whisk brooms/brushes of this sort of construction are generally referred to "turkey wing"--though the bristles on most are more angled

Stunning 19th Century Mi'kmaq Birch Covered, Porcupine Quill Decorated Box tin bank with the well worn markThis is the sort of thing I really can't believe exists in the world; the craftmanship is so exquisite, and the manipulation of the materials such a challenging and laborious process, that its creation, to say nothing of its endurance, just amazes me. (It is many times more beautiful in person, and extremely viscerally satisfying.) I come across small Native American bark boxes decorated with porcupine quills now and then, most made for the tourist