New Work by James Blake

 

Photography supplied by James Blake.

Blowgun and Darts by James Blake

 

Blowgun Technology 

Blowguns where used by Native peoples of North America especially in the Southeast,  though period accounts do record there use among others such as the Seneca and Shawnee, and Delaware peoples. I constructed this set as a gift for my youngest son. The Blowguns were traditionally made from river cane or some other pithy wood that could be hollowed out or split and rebound back together.  The Darts are made from Hickory and Twisted Cane. The Darts are Fletched with Thistle. Traditionally a variety of Thistles were used in the construction process some out perform others. The Anthropologist Frank Speck wrote a paper on the subject from field notes he took among the Catawba and Cherokee peoples which is very informative. 

Copy and photography supplied by James Blake.

Elm Bark Basketry by James Blake

 

Photography supplied by Janes Blake.

Headpiece by James Blake

 

This headpiece is copied from an original housed in the New Bruinswick Museum in Saint John, New Bruinswick Canada. It was probably acquired by Sir. William Farrington (1730-1781) of Warden Hall, Leyland Lancashire U.K. prior to 1768 it was passed on by family descent to Susan Farrington( 1809-1894) and her sister Mary Hannah Farrington then onto Henry Howell Farrington( 1868-1947); then acquired by the father of John Forrester at public Auction in the late 1940s. Consigned by John Forrester to auction and sold as lot 91at Christine's, London, England on June 29th 1983. Then donated to the New Bruinswick Museum as a Gift of the Goverment of Canada.  It is labeled Wolastoqiyik which is what the Maliseet people call themselves. Wolastoqiyik means "people of the beautiful river" refering to the St. John River Valley in New Bruinswick.

Stroud cloth

Silk Ribbon

Linen Thread

Glass Beads

Copy and photography supplied by James Blake.

Woman's Ribbon Skirt by James Blake

"I recently completed this Woman's Ribbon Skirt copied from an extant surviving example dating to the 18th century. The original was featured in the Clash of Empires exhibit ( French & Indian War traveling museum exhibit) curated by Scott Stephenson. This piece is held prisoner currently in Russia in the Museum of Peter the Great Kunstkamera. A modern reenacting anachronism or term applied to these skirts is wrap skirts as the piece was wrapped around the body and folded over a belt to hold in place. Many surviving examples of these old Ribbon Skirts are scattered throughout the globe. I for one am happy to see a resurgence of Native Women picking up this form of dress which is Indigenous form of strength and indigenization. A subtle form of rebellion and continued strength, screaming we are still here. This piece took me countless hours of hand stitching Silk Ribbon. It employs original 18th century glass beads and real Quahog Shell Wampum."

Copy and photography supplied by James Blake.

Fingerwoven Garters by James Blake After the Originals

These well known pair of Fingerwoven Garters are in the collections of the Chicago Field Museum. I examined these in 2018 once belonging to Sir. Jeffery Amherst. The despicable perpetrator of Biological Warfare on Native Peoples. From whom he acquired these Native objects has yet to be determined. These Garters would be great addition to a living historian, Collector or Eastern Woodland Powwow dancers acquisitions.

Copy and Photography provided by James Blake.

Bag by James Blake

 Photo supplied by James Blake.

Sash by James Blake

 This sash measures a total of 70" inches with 46" of it being the body of the sash. The piece is 4" wide.

Copy and photography by James Blake.

Shell Work by James Blake

The sum of the work of my hands from last week. Just finished these, made from Lighting Whelk Shell. A extensive trade network from the Atlantic to inland woodland tribes provided the shell. Not very many folks doing this type of work today. I like old school always have. These are available.

If interested let me know.

Contact jamesblakearts@gmail.com

Note- yes that is a Jaguar and the original was found in Missouri.

Copy and photos supplied by James Blake.

Shell Gorgets by James Blake

 

Photos supplied by James Blake.

Woven Straps by James Blake

 

Photography supplied by James Blake.

Bag by James Blade

 

original

Photos supplied by James Blake.

Pipe by James Blake

Gorget by James Blake

"This piece is based off a existant Caddo example found in Texas in 1936 by a road construction crew near Oenaville, Bell County. It dates to AD 300 - 700. It was held in the collection of Dr. Alex Dienst, Later transfered to the Smithsonian collections now housed in the National Museum Of the American Indian." 

Copy and photograph supplied by James Blake.

2019 Whiskey Rebellion Festival with James Blake

I've been commissioned by the Washington Pennsylvania Historical Society to reproduce this scarf for the 2019 Whiskey Rebellion Festival to be held July 11th -14th in Washington, PA. The original belonged to William Curry a Carlisle, PA native born in 1739. He was a noted gunsmith who migrated to Washington Pennsylvania in the late 18th century. It is a rare piece considering the lack of existing examples of scarfs from this early period. It most likely is a remnant of Stroud from a earlier date reused and re-purposed. The scarf terminates on both ends into a simple netting work with miniature Wool Tassles accenting the piece. Many thanks to Clay Kilgore Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society and Archaeologist Bryan Cunning for making this project happen. Be sure to come and stop by the Lemoyne House and say hello I will be attending with my wares and speaking with the public. For further information about the event please see the following website http://whiskeyrebellionfestival.com/

Copy and photos supplied by James Blake.

Logan's War Club by James Blake.

Made from Rock Maple,the Root Ball Blank was harvested four years ago on a hillside over looking the Site of the Yellow Creek massacre at Joshua Bakers homestead and trading post, on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River on April 30,1774 in which memebers of Logan's Family (wife-Mellana, Brother -Taylaynee also known as John Petty, Nephew- Molnah, Sister -Koonay) were lured into a insidous ambush. Logan was absent during the incident. The original club was reportively left at a Cabin site that Logan had attacked in August of the same year in retaliation for the brutal and cowardly murder of his family. The Cabin of Balser Lybrook was attacked and his three sons killed and scalped, true to the club's original the three X trophy marks line up with this incident. On the reverse side is numerous ineligible marks. The club handle has the European Intials IG carved into the base. This hideous act perpetrated by Daniel Greathouse and his brother Jacob and some associates sparked Lord Dunmores War.

Copy and photos supplied by James Blake.