Photo: Siobhan Motherway Source: Museum Victoria
This attractive item came into the Discovery Centre today, identified by the enquirer as a Sioux Dance Fan, beaded and trimmed with Eagle feathers.
His purpose in bringing the fan in was to have the type of fur used in the trim identified. The only hint he could offer was that it was from North America, and that the animal products in the fan had been sourced from roadkill.
Well, at least it's a beautiful outcome from an unfortunate demise!
Whilst we don't specialise in North American mammal hides, our stalwart Mammalogist dutifully came down to inspect the item when he had a moment. It wasn't beaver - too coarse. It wasn't dog - too fine. His conclusion? Hare. Another mystery solved!
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