Old Ish, (sculpture).

Old Ish, (sculpture).

J.L. Mott Iron Works, founder.

Old Ish, (sculpture).

Installed 1889. Dedicated 1880s. Rededicated May 1978.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: cast iron or lead; Base: cast iron.

Sculpture: approx. H. 6 ft.; Base: approx. H. 6 ft. (500 lbs.).

(On metal plate attached to front of sculpture base:) MANUFACTURED BY J.L. MOTT signed Founder's mark appears.

A colorfully painted sculpture of a Native American standing with his proper left foot on a small rock. He holds a bow in his proper left hand and an arrow in his proper right hand. He wears a cape, fringed leggings, and a feathered headband. An amulet hangs from a necklace around his neck and a strap runs diagonally across his bare chest. At the back of his proper right leg is a small tree stump. The sculpture is mounted atop a two-tiered cast iron base. The top tier is square and painted grey. Each face and corner is decorated. The octagonal bottom tier is black with rough edges at some places where separately cast sections are joined. It is fitted with drinking fountains on two sides, but the fountains do not work. At one time, watering troughs were attached to the bottom of the base.

Homage -- Gesick, Marji

Ethnic -- Indian -- Chippewa

Figure male -- Full length

Dress -- Ethnic -- Indian Dress

Dress -- Accessory -- Hat

Dress -- Accessory -- Jewelry

Object -- Weapon -- Bow and Arrow

Outdoor Sculpture -- Michigan -- Ishpeming

Located Corner of Main & Cleveland, Ishpeming, Michigan

The sculpture was installed in 1889 through the efforts of the City of Ishpeming and C. H. Hall, a leading citizen and agent of the Lake Superior Mining Company. The sculpture may honor Marji Gesick, a Chippewa Indian Chief who first showed white men where iron ore rocks were in the area, giving birth to the region's iron ore industry in 1845. The base originally contained watering troughs and fountains for use by horses, dogs, and people. The watering troughs around the bottom of the base no longer remain. Two small fountain basins are still attached to the middle of the base, but are inoperative.

In 1978, the Golden K Kiwanis Club refurbished the sculpture. At this time, broken fingers and parts were welded into place or recast, and the sculpture was repainted by local artist Janet Foster. A rededication ceremony was held in May of 1978 after restoration efforts were completed. For related reading see Marion E. Gridley's "America's Indian Statues," Chicago: Towertown Press, 1966. IAS files contain an excerpt from Oliver A. Knapp's "Chief Kisco and His Brothers," Mount Kisco, N.Y.: Mount Kisco Historical Committee, pg. 7, 22-23, 27-28; and articles from Upbeat, May 14, 1978, pg. 22; and The Mining Journal (Marquette, MI), Dec. 10, 1977, pg. A-2, Aug. 5, 1980, pg. 1-2, and June 5, 1981, pg.2-B.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Michigan survey, 1993.

Knapp, Oliver A., "Chief Kisco and His Brothers," Mount Kisco, N.Y.: Mount Kisco Historical Committee, pg. 7.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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