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Handkerchief Box
signed by Tomah Joseph,
Passamaquoddy
about 1900
15 cm long x 13 cm wide x 3 cm high
Tomah Joseph was a Passamaquoddy
man who made art with birchbark. He lived his life
in Passamaquoddy territory in Maine’s most eastern
region of Washington County. He was born in 1837 and
lived all 77 years of his life at the traditional
community of Peter Dana Point.
As an adult, Tomah Joseph made a
living by making and selling a new style of etched
birchbark art. He also served as tribal governor for
a bit, hired out as a canoe and hunting guide, and
acted as informant for folklorist Charles Leland,
who recorded Passamaquoddy origin stories.
Tomah Joseph’s etched birchbark
pieces present a visual image of his world, both real
and spiritual. This little box depicts a traditional
camp scene on its top. Animals important to the Wabanaki
world encircle the side – a basking seal, wading
heron, swimming turtle, chewing beaver, and trickster
rabbit.
Tomah Joseph signed his work
and that personal touch distinguishes him as an individual
artist. Sometimes, he also dated his pieces, but this
piece is not one of those.
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