Amazingly realistic rabbit - with a mythical "little person" riding it.  This whimsical portrayal of NE Native American "little person" legends is by Paul St John, Mohawk artist... He has used porcupine quill on birch bark to illustrate the rabbit/little person ... this atop a very large coiled tidal sweetgrass basket


In many Native American cultures there are tales of the "little people" who are mischievous and/or helpful.  The Iroquois call them "Jogahoh" and the Mi'kmaq call them "Pukulatmuj".  The other tribes of the Wabanakis' legends also describe "little people" with varying names.  All attribute some magical powers to these beings and all have these beings living in the forest or rocky places.  ....  As do the Celtic peoples with fairies, pixies, leprechauns, and elves - the Scandinavian dwarves and tomtes..  So many cultures around the world describe magical "little people" and their abilities and escapades.


This larger oval basket by Paul St John 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 10.5" long, 8.25" across  and 3.25" high.  The birch bark medallion at center top is 9" long and 6.75" across.  The rabbit is made of natural white and dyed brown porcupine quills with the in some spots retaining the darker ends...  you can see how Paul uses the white / dark part of the quill to make the rabbit more realistic.  The rabbit's eye is yellow.  The man has a red dyed quill shirt - blue pants, yellow moccasins, and 2 white/brown tipped "feathers" in his hair.  

  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, several species of ducks- 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. 

 WILL Weigh about 2# when boxed to ship - larger and heavier than most baskets I sell  -  so you will pay exact cost to ship from Maine to your location.