Lizard Body Sheath

A small lizard body. It has pointed nubs where the back legs and in between the legs where the tail would be. The hands are brought together in the center and there are long claws

Country of Origin: Unknown
Year: ca. 1890s
Materials: Lizard skin, thread 

This lizard pouch was collected by the Harris Family on their international travels in the late Victorian-early Edwardian Era. Unfortunately, like many of the international pieces in the collection, it is nearly impossible to say exactly where this piece comes from or who collected it. As this was a sheath for several small daggers, we assume that it was collected by one of the male family members, as this would have been deemed a more ‘appropriate’ souvenir for a man. It likely comes to us from southeast Asia as part of a larger weapon collection trend acquired by George and Ronald Harris around 1897.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.