Rhonda Besaw

traditional and contemporary Wabanaki beadwork

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Traditonal and contemporary peaked cap Mi'kmaq style

I was inspired to make this Mi’kmaq style peaked cap to honor Clarissa Basque Tellier, a Mi’kmaq woman and great grandmother of artist and author, Gerry Biron.  In a portrait that Gerry did of Clarissa she is wearing a beautiful Mi’kmaq peaked cap.  I wanted not just to recreate this old style peaked cap, but to also include a contemporary design to honor the woman that Clarissa was.

The beadwork design on the upper portion of this peaked cap follows a design found on a Mi’kmaq peaked cap held by the British Museum.  The bottom panel is my original design which represents the medicine plant, juniper.  Small white birds carry the remembrance of Clarissa and all our Grandmothers.  My work is signed in beadwork, the mark of a squirrel.

This peaked cap is made of wool, glass seed beads, antique steel cut and brass beads, silk ribbon, cotton lining. 


Mi'kmaq style peaked cap
Mi'kmaq style peaked cap completed 2015
Mi'kmaq style peaked cap completed 2015
Clarissa Basque
Clarissa Basque portrait by Gerry Biron
Mi'kmaq hood British museum
Mi'kmaq hood British Museum
click on the portait of Clarissa and it will take you to the website of Gerry Biron
click on the Mi'kmaq peaked cap from the British Museum for more information about this hood

Mi'kmaq peaked cap
garden spider and web
back of peaked cap
Abenaki Style Peaked Cap
 Abenaki Style Peaked Cap/Hood incorporating raised beadwork......seldom seen today, these beaded peaked caps or hoods were popular among the Wabanaki People in the 1800's. This peaked cap is my design. Dark purple wool lined with cotton fabric. 100% silk ribbon trim. Glass seed beads and abalone shell centers in every flower. 


Abenaki peaked cap hood
Abenaki peaked cap hood beaded
Mi'kmaq Style Peaked Cap


Completed in 2014, this Mi'kmaq style peaked cap is made from wool, seed beads, bugle beads, antique steel cut beads and other antique beads, silk ribbon, vintage lace, cotton fabric. 

My original "spiderweb" beadwork design is on the top portion of the peaked cap. 
 It includes 7 Spiders, each honoring the 7 directions. 
 
The bottom red wool panel incorporates traditional Mi'kmaq double curve designs. 

This work is not an historical reproduction,
 but a mix of contemporary beadwork designs and traditional designs.

Man's Hunting Hood
                     
 Rhonda Besaw   •  living in the "Great North Woods" of New Hampshire    •    603-837-3381  •   send an email

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updated 12/08/22
 
 
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