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TABLE
TABLE

TABLE

CultureMi'kmaq
Date19th century
Dimensions75 x 76 x 48 cm (29 1/2 x 29 15/16 x 18 7/8 in.)
Object numberHF.2014.14.2
DescriptionHandmade Mi'kmaw twig and bark table. Rectangular tabletop has a design assembled by a combination of smoothed twigs and sections of bark, creating a veneered-like surface. The edges are covered by short pieces of twig with pointed bottoms and sections of bark - the edges have been made to look like the pattern drapes down over the edges. The free form base is a mixture of interwoven branches. The table is held together with hand-forged nails and the wood has been coated with a finish.
Narrative

This type of Mi’kmaw furniture design originated in the areas of Mi’kma’ki which is known in English as Nova Scotia.

Categorized as “rustic style”, this style employed sticks, twigs or logs for a natural look and gained popularity in the 19th century as people increasingly looked to incorporate nature into their homes. In the case of this table, twigs and bark have been used to create an intricate pattern, resembling a Union Jack. The base is created by a series of intertwined branches.

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