Description
Uncommon Threads: Wabanaki Textiles, Clothing, and Costume is the exhibition catalogue for the Maine State Museum's travelling exhibition by co-curators Bruce Bourque and Laurie LaBar. This volume celebrates the extensive history of clothing, adornment, beadwork, appliquÚ, fibrework, and basketry created by the Nations of the Wabanaki Confederacy. Quality examples of this work are featured in the 104 colour photographs displayed throughout the book showing pieces created by Mi'kmaq, Manliest, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy women and men artisans. The Wabanaki controlled lands and territories in the Canadian and American Maritime Peninsula. Their textile technology and textile arts featured in this catalogue include 100 pieces of coats, dresses, rush mats, tumplines, open-twined bags, leggings, pipe bags, snow shoes, lacrosse sticks, moccasins, peaked caps, Glengarry caps, tea cozy, and souvenirs. The authors offer a brief introductory chapter about the history and cultural heritage of the Wabanaki along with chapters that discuss the creation of these fine crafts and household pieces. The book also includes limited information about silverwork, basketry, and canoe making. Although there appears to be limited involvement with the contemporary Wabanaki communities in the creation of this exhibition catalogue, nevertheless this book offers an overview of the material culture of the First Nations of the Maritime regions.