University of the Pacific

Indigenous Objects Collection, 1900-2000

Summary

Dates:
1900-2000
Abstract:
This collection includes items that were originally part of the Garfield Merner collection of Native American artifacts, including vessels made of Jicara gourds, woven bags, a model canoe, textiles, a woven hat, and other items.
Extent:
5 linear feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

. MSS 351. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes items that were originally part of the Garfield Merner collection of Native American artifacts. The collection consists of vessels made of Jicara gourds, woven bags, a model canoe, textiles, a woven hat, and other items. Some objects may have come from the Dale Johnson McLeod collection.

Biographical / historical:

Garfield David Merner (1882-1972) was a businessman and philanthropist. He was a founder and vice-president of Merner Lumber Company from 1923-1928, and a member of the board of directors of Garfield, Inc., both in Palo Alto, California. In 1929 Garfield Merner and his wife, Daisy, founded the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, as a place for artists to work.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Indians of North America
Native American crafts
Indigenous art
Indian textile fabrics
Mexico - Indigenous art
Philippines -- Indigenous crafts

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Don Romero
Date Prepared:
© 2023
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Don Romero. Date of source: May 15, 2023.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

. MSS 351. Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library.

Location of this collection:
University of the Pacific, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University Library
Stockton, CA 95211, US
Contact:
(209) 946-2404
Website

Contents

BOX 1

Contents

Woven hat, leaves and bamboo. Diameter: 19 inches. Luzon Philippines

BOX 2

Contents

2.1: Ceramic redware brazier or stove with iron handles broken. Slip of paper with sherds reads: "Stove used by early Chinese miners in Idaho, Presented by Josie Pearl, Nevada"

2.2: Basketry bag with broken strap handle Mexico

2.3: Fiber woven belt or strap, rolled up and tied

2.3: Woven cloth basket with strap, “Chiapas Mexico”

2.3: Ladle or dipper made from a gourd, with repaired cracks

2.4: Model canoe made of bark, wood, thread and nails. Damage on one end

2.4: Fiber brush with integral handle, Mexico

BOX 3

Contents

Wool weaving with fringe on ends, beige with designs, 13” x 9”

Wool weaving with fringe on ends, gray with designs, 13” x 9”

Jicara gourd vessel, cracked, approximately 11” diameter

Jicara gourd bowl, 9 1/2” diameter

Painted gourd bowl, with image of jaguar, flowers, and birds; repaired, 7” diameter

Woolen fringed belt or sash, Mexico; moth damage

Painted wooden rasp with carved bird head (musical instrument used with additional stick, possibly stick listed below)

Wooden stick with carved snake at one end (possibly goes with rasp above)

BOX 4

Contents

Conical burden basket; “Shoshone, Idaho,” damaged and fragile