Native American Jewelry in Appalachia

I decided to focus on the Indian Jewelry artifacts collected and displayed in the Hall of Fame at the Museum of Appalachia.  I was struck by the similarities to some of today's jewelry, in theme.  I was also interested in the meaning behind the design of some of the pieces.  For example, the Indian religion was naturalistic.  They believed that all things had souls and should be cared for accordingly.  Yet, there is an obvious influence of the white monotheistic (Christian) religion in the jewelry shown in the museum.  How could they be swayed?  What were the consequences from both the native americans and the whites for changing of not changing your way of thinking. To be explored...

Below, you will see images of the cross in the jewelry displayed.  Additionally, you will see uses of wasted metals, which I think stays with thier traditions of respect for all things.  They reused bullets, and other discarded metals to create jewerly; such as earrings and brass crosses.

The "jewelers" were not known, but based on what I read from other sources, there seems to be not one person designated to create the jewelry within a tribe.  This was a conclusion I came to based on lack of contrary information.

I don't know that this type of jewelry was unique to the Appalachian region.  The material, such as bullets was based on simple availability.  Brass as certainly not unique to this area, but to be able to use it, required availability as well, which came from the whites.  Timing of these articles was probably made it unique to Appalachia at the time, meaning white westward expansion was later than white occupation in the east.

 I added the modern cross to see the likeness of the middle cross in the museum display.

Indian Trade Bottles

Near the Indian site of Citico, bottles were found on the southside of the Little Tennessee River. The bottles were used around the time of the mid 1700s. These glass bottles were used as containers to hold traded goods. They would use them to hold medecine, alcohols, or any other sorts of liquids. These bottles are unique to the Appalachian Musuem because it tells us more about the history of native Tennessians and native indians. They are also unique becasue they were discovered in Tennessee.

Journey to Appalachia- Wood

Flax Spinning WheelThis type of flax wheel is found throughout Southern Appalachia. Flax is the stalk of a plant that is used for fiber. It is considered a cellulose or bast fiber, similar to hemp, jute, and ramie. Flax, which has been spun, is called, linen. Flax can be grown almost anywhere, where the growing season is three months. It has very short roots, and is harvested by pulling it out of the ground instead of cutting it. Once the stalks are pulled, they are stored in bundles, and set aside to dry. Next, they are put through a process called, rippling, which removes the seeds. Retting is the next process, which rots the outer core of the stalk to expose the inner fibers.  The next steps in the process are breaking and scutching, which breaks the stalk and removes the fiber. Once the flax is prepared, the flax is secured into the wheel. It is spun with only a slight amount of tension. This particular wheel came from the old Walter Thompson place on Washington Pike in adjoining Knox County and was acquired from the Thompson children. The wheel had belonged to Grandmother Dotson and perhaps evven her mother. 

Dovie Owens' Old Keepsake Clock

This clock brought back many fond memories for Dovie in that lonely pine woods section of Itawamba County, Mississippi. "My Parents bought it at a 'sell out' from a family  moving to Texas before i can remember. I was raised up with that old clock, and it's been here all my life-- stricking the time, day and night, year after year. It's een one of the hardest things I have to part with, but i'm having to leave and i can't keep these old keepsake things. I wouldn't sell it to anybody, but i know you'll keep it for people to see."

The Museum of Appalachia was founded in 1969 by John Rice Irwin, who is very passionate about bringing Southern Applachia to East Tennessee. He wanted his museum to portray an authentic mountain farm/village with some three dozen historic log structures, exhibit buildings filled with thousands of authentic Appalachian artifacts, gardens surrounded by split rail fences, and farm animals in a picturesque setting. The museum still adds new exhibits, buildings, and educational programs to enhance its mission to enform visitors of Southern Appalachian values and traditions. 

Commemorative Flasks: Museum of Appalachia

Ceramic and glass pieces have been extremely present in the East Tennessee and Appalachia area since the native Americans first settled the area.  In the early 70s in Knoxville the nationally famous Dogwood Arts Festival was held.Gene Lane glass flasks

Gene Lane used this flask pattern with the beautiful rose was was in the festival in both 1973 and 1974.  This festival is a huge part of Knoxville history and culture beginning in 1961 and still goes on today! Locals and many people around the country come out to Knoxville for the festival and many of the Appalachian traditional crafts have been on display.  

Comforts of Home: The Roots of Textile in Appalachia.

Textiles are important to our society in general. From the clothing we wear to the items in which we decorate our homes. In the history of Appalachia, this was no different. Textiles provided many usages. One of the most important utilizations of textile came in the form of quilts. They were decoration, stories, gifts, warmth and a part of the life of the early (and current) Appalachian community.

This is a Christmas Tree pattern that was popular in the days of Early Appalachia.

The art of making quilts has been around for centuries. The people of Appalachia would use old fabrics from previous clothing or make and create new textiles to make them. They are a combination of patterns and textures. They are all unique and have an endearing quality. The average quilt may take months to make and are excellently handcrafted. A local quilt maker explaining the process of a handmade quilt.An up-close look of a quilt pattern that she has been working on.