Bundle of 20 Visiting Sticks, late 19th-early 20th century, Brooklyn Museum: Arts of the Americas
These messenger sticks are wood sticks tied with hide and a piece of membrane [possibly snake skin]. See also 11.694.9025 for visiting tobacco. Such sticks were sent by a messenger when a traveler was within a day’s journey of his destination. His hosts were expected to give a small token in return.
Size: 9 ½ x 1 ½ in. (24.1 x 3.8 cm)
Medium: Wood, pigment, hide, membranehttps://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/130372
Spencer Witcraft 