dyed bulrush mat
Copyright Minnesota Historical Society Collections
- Description:
This rectangular bulrush floor mat is probably Ojibwe, and has a basswood twine warp and bulrush weft. Some bulrushes are dyed gold, green or purple, creating eight bands of geometric designs which span the mat width. Most rushes are their natural golden-brown color.
Bulrush floor mat has a basswood twine warp and bulrush weft. The bulrushes are used in their natural color and also dyed gold, green or purple. Mats like this had many purposes. They were used in construction of wigwams, as interior partitions, as door and floor coverings, on sleeping platforms, and for drying food.