tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post4382385676504383455..comments2024-03-18T11:38:13.384-02:30Comments on Elfshot: Central Arctic Bone Needle CaseTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-58503942506571412912019-02-19T09:03:16.377-03:302019-02-19T09:03:16.377-03:30Tim, I wanted to ask you what do you use to engrav...Tim, I wanted to ask you what do you use to engrave the lines on this needlecase? Also when you use red ochre and charcoal do you dissolve it in something (like bear grease, oil, water etc.) and apply it all over or only on the lines? I mix the charcoal and or ochre with bear grease and smear it all over. However I have gotten too much penetration of the red or black coloration all over the bone. I think I will have to use a magnifying visor also because my lines aren’t nearly as nice as yours Tim! Then again, I’m probably older too.😒Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13899257465014099031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-41256371374656068302014-07-11T20:23:02.707-02:302014-07-11T20:23:02.707-02:30It's really interesting just how similar the C...It's really interesting just how similar the Central Arctic needlcases are to Saami needlecase from Scandinavia. It's almost an exact match-even some of the engraving (scrimshaw) designs look similar. Similar environment, too. frank d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-43493247069500619912011-02-02T19:23:13.863-03:302011-02-02T19:23:13.863-03:30Thanks for the info!
MagnusThanks for the info!<br /><br />MagnusAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-33781593685282942492011-02-02T15:31:59.567-03:302011-02-02T15:31:59.567-03:30Thanks Vicky - that's interesting insight - it...Thanks Vicky - that's interesting insight - it certainly seems possible that you could use the leather to assist in pinching the needles. Even with an awl, leather can be tricky to work. The copper needles must have been a big improvement over the relatively fragile bone needles.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-64581831415776161372011-02-02T15:29:27.174-03:302011-02-02T15:29:27.174-03:30Thanks Magnus. Yes, in the part of the Arctic tha...Thanks Magnus. Yes, in the part of the Arctic that this artifact came from its most likely that they were made from Barren Ground Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus). Peary Caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) might be another option, although they are so small that I don't know if their little leg bones would be long enough.<br /><br />I believe goose and swan wing bones are preferred for needle cases. It was a while ago, but I'm pretty sure that I used a goose wing bone in the reproduction shown above. One good "smoking gun" artifact was reported from Newfoundland by Wintemberg in 1940:<br /><br />"Needle Case: A plain tubular needle case containing a bone needle was found by Stephen Taylor at Cow Head. A section of an ulna, probably of the Canada Goose, 3 13/16 inches long, with the proximal end roughly broken and the other end evenly broken off may have been in process of manufacture into a needle case."<br /><br />Wintemberg, W.J. 1940 Eskimo Sites of the Dorset Culture in Newfoundland. American Antiquity 5(4):309-333Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-76714261330283642802011-02-02T14:55:38.432-03:302011-02-02T14:55:38.432-03:30Given what they'd be sewing through, the scrap...Given what they'd be sewing through, the scrap of leather in the centre of the tube may also have doubled as a gripping surface, for pulling needles through the hide. Even with pre-punched holes, hauling needles through grippy fabrics can be tough. Thimbles can work to push needles through, too, but sometimes you just have to haul on them. When your hands are sweaty or slightly greasy or even very dry, fingers can't grip needles easily. Mom, who sometimes works with hide, often uses pliers to get a firm grip. I've used leather scraps when pulling quilting needles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-78879015075839885902011-02-02T14:54:20.672-03:302011-02-02T14:54:20.672-03:30Nice piece! I've got a few questions. Is it ma...Nice piece! I've got a few questions. Is it made from Rangifer tarandus or is it another varaint of tarandus? What birds would you say were most usual?<br /><br />Magnus Reuterdahl/Testimony of the spadeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-60206054982868887002011-02-02T14:45:08.715-03:302011-02-02T14:45:08.715-03:30Indeed! Thank you Lori!Indeed! Thank you Lori!Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11473674521424237610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086026991280831425.post-64684086202307579202011-02-02T14:43:21.900-03:302011-02-02T14:43:21.900-03:30Special thanks to Lori for spending the better par...Special thanks to Lori for spending the better part of the afternoon tracking down Elfshot file photos.LoriWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04450142685082437734noreply@blogger.com