Quill Boxes

Porcupine Quill Boxes

It takes a craft person two days to make one three inch quill box, not including the preparation of materials. All the materials are natural except for the thread and dye. The white quills are their natural colour and the base is birch bark carefully removed from the tree without damaging the tree. Each basket is trimmed with sweetgrass, harvested in July. The designs on the lids of the quill box reflect the skill of the craft person, the more intricate and dramatic designs usually having been done by a an older craftsperson with years of practice. These baskets are from the Parry Sound area in Ontario.