PUFFIN: Larger oval coiled sweetgrass basket w/birch bark -Paul St. John-Mohawk

Description

PUFFIN!
For fans of Paul St John's amazing wildlife porcupine quill & sweetgrass baskets - Paul's first PUFFIN has arrived!  This puffin is of porcupine quill on a birch bark medallion atop the lid of a larger oval coiled sweetgrass basket, by Paul St John, Mohawk craftsman.
Puffins are one of Maine’s most threatened species. This striking bird makes its home on Eastern Egg Rock
, Matinicus Rock, Machias Seal Island and a few other rocky islands that are just a few miles off the coast. The northern birds live in colonies and the colonies that inhabit Maine are the southernmost colonies in the world! Puffins are typically found in places like Iceland and Norway, so sighting a Maine puffin is a real treat for wildlife enthusiasts.
These smallish birds resemble penguins. Puffins have black and white bodies with black beaks that have red, orange, yellow, and bluish streaks. Seeing one of these rare birds is a once in a lifetime experience.
This larger oval 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 7.75" long, 6.25" across and 3" high.  The birch bark medallion at center top is 6" long and 4.5" across.   The puffin's body is made of  dyed black and natural white quills.  It's beak has dyed orange, yellow and blue quill - it has dyed orange quill legs.   There is a border of  natural white quill around the outside of the birch bark medallion.
Second photo in slideshow is of 2 puffins.    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.