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Feathers, 4 directions, lace lid: Burnt Work, sm wood box - JC Polchies, Mi'kmaq
Feathers, 4 directions, lace lid: Burnt Work, sm wood box - JC Polchies, Mi'kmaq
Feathers, 4 directions, lace lid: Burnt Work, sm wood box - JC Polchies, Mi'kmaq
Feathers, 4 directions, lace lid: Burnt Work, sm wood box - JC Polchies, Mi'kmaq
Feathers, 4 directions, lace lid: Burnt Work, sm wood box - JC Polchies, Mi'kmaq
Feathers, 4 directions, lace lid: Burnt Work, sm wood box - JC Polchies, Mi'kmaq

Feathers, 4 directions, lace lid: Burnt Work, sm wood box - JC Polchies, Mi'kmaq

$ 15.18

Availability: 19 in stock
  • Country of Manufacture: Canada
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • Region or Culture: Northeastern Maine/Eastern Canada
  • Item must be returned within: 30 Days
  • Artisan: J Clifton Polchies
  • Original or Reproduction: Original
  • Exact Type: Traditional burnt work /small box
  • Era: Now - CURRENT
  • Tribal Affiliation: Mi'kmaq (Canadian Spelling) or MicMac (US)
  • Condition: New

    Description

    This small wooden box has 2 eagle feathers, 2 four direction symbols and a unique lid triangle design in  burntwork art added by J Clifton Polchies, Mi'kmaq. (Micmac, USA spelling Mi'kmaq; Canadian spelling)  There are 2 beautifully done eagle feathers with wrapped quills (for ceremonial uses) "burnt" onto the front and on the 2 sides there are 4 direction symbols (Micmac/mi'kmaq version of 4 direction symbol) of this commercially made box.  On the top of this box Clifton has burnt triangles on the border which surrounds a lacey plastic mesh in a cut out.  The front of the box has a nice brass closure and there are brass hinges on the back.  The style of box is something different for Clifton - and he has responded to this new opening in a box lid with a new direction in his designs.
    Personally I think that this little box has allowed Clifton to show his capability as an artist who can take on a challenge and make it beautiful!  This is one of my favorites (so far)...  I love the lid and he has angled the 4 direction symbols a bit -  differently on each side - these are his most beautiful yet...
    The box is 5" long, 3.25" deep and 2" high.  This box has a lot of "burn" on the front, top and sides - something different for Clifton.  It is one of the smallest pieces that he has done and as I have said - I find it one of his best.
    Burnt work is also called  pyrography - dictionary definition
    "Pyrography is the art of decorating wood or other materials with
    burn
    marks"
    As a traditional art of the Wabanaki, burnt work has been used for at nearly 2 centuries and perhaps even prior to European contact...  The earliest burnt work design I have seen was on a paddle was dated to 1850 and have been told of others that were even earlier.  Wooden objects as well as birch bark items were sometimes decorated using the tips of burning sticks etc.
    This commercially purchased wooden box has had the all the burnt work designs placed on it by the Mi'kmaq artist, J Clifton Polches.
    It would make a great desk top box for holding stamps, paper clips, push pins, erasers etc... or a wonderful jewelry/trinket box.  Some of my Mi'kmaq (USA spelling, MicMac) friends use this to store medicinal herbs for teas, or tobacco for smoking in traditional pipes - as well as cedar, sweetgrass and sage for smudging.  -  You can store spiritually or emotionally significant items in this too.