Tracing Patterns Foundation

This is the famous Powhatan's ‘mantle’ at the Ashmolean museum in Oxford. It is made of deer hides with embroidered shells forming a central human figure, deer on either side, and scattered circles. This piece stands as crucial evidence of the early encounters between indigenous American Indians in Virginia and the British in the 1600s. It likely was part of the gift exchange between Chief Powhatan and Christopher Newport in the name of King James I. Although called a mantle, it was never worn and probably only meant for display. Interesting fact: Chief Powhatan was the father of Pocahontas. The last image show the map of Virginia dated to 1612. It became part of the Royal colony in 1624.