Pileated Woodpecker: Larger round coiled sweetgrass basket-Paul St. John-Mohawk

Description

Here is a pileated woodpecker of porcupine quill on a birch bark medallion atop the lid of a larger round coiled sweetgrass basket, by Paul St John, Mohawk craftsman.  This is Paul's
third pileated woodpecker, each different than the others.  The first two on smaller oval baskets sold in a few days after listing.  Already a favorite of Paul's fans and customers.
Pileated woodpeckers at a
bout 18" long with a 30" wingspan
are big!    I see them frequently in the woods that surround my home in Maine.  Even more frequently I hear them.  They make an unmistakably
loud  drumming as they peck on a nearby tree, looking for food or making a nest cavity. Their call is loud, raucous and rumored to be the sound Woody Woodpecker's signature sound was mimicking. Everytime I see one, I am impressed with their size and their distinctiveness.
This round basket has birch bark at center of lid and used as the bottom -  then coiled tidal sweetgrass on sides and at rim of cover.  It is 6.5" in diameter and 3" high.  The birch bark medallion at center top is 4.75" in diameter.     The woodpecker is made of black and red dyed porcupine quills with natural white quills.  Paul uses the ends of the natural quill for the beak, the ends have a bit of tan or darker brown...it adds realism to the beak.  The tree this pileated woodpecker is perched on is of medium brown dyed porcupine quill.  There is a border of dyed yellow quill around the outside of the birch bark medallion - the yellow quills include the darker brown tips ...  striking border.
Second photo in slideshow above is a photo of a real pileated woodpecker.  I wish there was some way to show you it's actual size...   Last photo in slideshow is of Paul and a friend.  -  Photo illustrates Paul's real connection with the creatures he depicts in his work  Paul St. John lives in Maine, his mother is Passamaquoddy.  He grew up on the Mohawk lands in New York, his father's homeland and is an enrolled Mohawk tribal member.  - When I saw his work I knew immediately I needed to offer his great baskets.  While quill work and coiled sweetgrass baskets are  historically Maine Indian traditional crafts, currently no one but Paul St. John is actively practicing this craft.  -  Passamaquoddy basketmakers, Jeremy Frey and Otter, both have used some quill work on their baskets...  but quill work on coiled sweetgrass baskets are Paul St John's specialty.  Watch this store for more of his pieces.  Can't wait to see what he is going to create next.
Paul has made many quill animals, fox, bear, beaver, deer, wolf, moose - and even more birds, cardinal, eagle, loon, blue jay, hawk, hummingbird, great blue heron, chickadee - Many many others   - see if your favorite is in this ebay store.
He not only does sweetgrass coil baskets and porcupine quill work on birch bark -- but also amazing dolls, Iroquois beadwork, MicMac beadwork,  great moccasins, knife sheaths, medicine bags and so much more!  He is truly a man of many (many many) talents!
Watch this store for more of his pieces.  Can't wait to see what he is going to create next.