Bow

McCordBow.jpg

Title

Bow

Subject

Tecumseh

Description

“This wooden bow would have originally been strung with an animal (sinew, gut or twisted rawhide) or plant fibre bowstring. The bow is elaborately incised with a mix of traditional Aboriginal and European-influenced motifs. A Thunderbird, crane and catfish can be seen, which are representations of clan identification animals called dodems. Four men are also depicted - two holding bows and arrows and two armed with guns. Decorative elements include floral motifs and triangular chip carving. The incised designs are filled with alternating black and red pigments to increase their visibility. […]David Ross McCord, the founder of the McCord Museum, acquired this bow. He believed that it had been owned by the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, born in 1768 and killed in 1813 at the Battle of Moraviantown.”

Rights

McCord Museum

Original Format

Bow