Aboriginal American Weaving

Kissell, Mary LoisProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.0

Word count: 14K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Aboriginal American Weaving by Mary Lois KissellAuthor: Kissell, Mary Lois,Language: English, Class: NK: Fine Arts: Decorative and Applied Arts, Decoration and Ornament, Release Date: Feb 11, 2008

Editor's review

This book is a thematic study of North American indigenous weaving craft from early ethnographic writing. Though not long, it discusses technical details together with cultural context: from the selection of fiber materials and spinning and twisting cord, to loom structure and pattern organization, the author attempts to build a framework for understanding handmade traditions using observations and specimen materials available at the time. Its value lies not in catalog-style exquisite presentation but in offering a sample of how researchers a century ago recorded, classified, and interpreted material culture; readers can find both concrete craft descriptions and a sense of the writing style where early anthropology and art history overlap. Reading it today suits a dual perspective: on one hand, treat it as an introductory thread to weaving knowledge, noting the naming of processes and tools; on the other, treat it as material for academic history, paying attention to the author's interpretive framework and habits of expression. Because it was written early, some terms and ethnic names no longer meet today's norms; readers should compare it with contemporary indigenous studies. It suits careful reading in sections in a quiet setting, with notes to sort out the craft process, and can also be read alongside museum collection catalogs.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in North American indigenous material culture and handicrafts
Students and practitioners of textiles and fiber art who want to understand traditional weaving processes
Researchers concerned with early ethnographic writing and academic history
Language learners needing English craft texts as reading material

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting many high-resolution plates and step-by-step操作 tutorials
Readers who only want contemporary indigenous perspectives and are unwilling to compare historical texts
Readers with little tolerance for early academic terminology and ethnic names

Reading tips

Read through once to understand the overall structure, then take categorized notes on three themes: materials, tools, and patterns.
Look up unfamiliar terms and ethnic names as you read, marking which expressions reflect period limitations.
Read alongside interviews with contemporary indigenous weavers or museum collection descriptions to form mutual corroboration.
The English original is limited in length; reading a small section daily and retelling the key points is recommended over scanning it all at once.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no weaving foundation at all?

It can be read, but expectations should be adjusted. The book focuses on recording and describing traditional craft rather than teaching steps, and those without a foundation may find process names unfamiliar. It is advisable to first understand basic concepts such as weft, warp, and loom, then enter the main text, and note unfamiliar terms for concentrated lookup; reading will be much smoother.

Can the ethnic names and terms in the book still be used directly today?

They should not be used directly. The book was written in an earlier period, and some names and classifications reflect the academic habits of the time, not matching the names by which indigenous communities identify themselves today. When reading, treat them as expressions in a historical text, learn more appropriate terms through contemporary research, and explain this when citing.

This is a public-domain e-book; what should be noted about the reading experience?

Public-domain e-books are usually text-centered, and layout and illustration presentation depend on the specific version; readers should be prepared for this. Reading software that supports font adjustment and annotation is recommended. If charts or figures are missing, supplement with catalogs from museums or academic databases; do not give up reading because of version limitations.

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About the author

Kissell, Mary Lois Author · American

Kissell, Mary Lois was an American anthropologist and writer. Public information about her is limited, and details of her life, such as her birth and death dates and educational background, remain unverified. She is known for her examination and study of Native American weaving crafts, and her representative work is Aboriginal American Weaving. This work indicates that her research interests centered on Native American handicrafts such as basket weaving, with attention to the relationships between materials, techniques, and cultural traditions. Her writing reflects an ethnographic approach, seeking to describe crafts within the context of Native American life and culture and providing records of reference value for later studies in craft history and anthropology. Since only one of her works is held in the collection, her academic career and overall body of writing await further documentation.