Collections

Woman's Beaded Bag

Woman's Beaded Bag - Bag
Accession #: 1780.558
Title: Woman's Beaded Bag
Object Type: Bag
Participants:
Physical Description: Rectangular, flat bag is fully beaded on one side. Stylized, floral design in yellow-green, white, red, and yellow, on a blue background. Done in flat stitch technique. Backed and edged in red wool with buckskin handles.
Description: For more than two centuries, Plateau Indian women have created unique bags to carry at tribal celebrations, give as gifts, use as trade and occasionally sell to outsiders. The women delighted in the beads and fabrics first introduced by early fur traders and missionaries. They sewed cloth bags into distinctive shapes, and applied beads in stylized, symmetrical floral designs. When smaller beads, cotton thread and needles became available, these craftswomen added fully contoured backgrounds. Later designs depicted flags and animals, or commemorated special events. Designs were handed down through generations, sparked by dreams or produced by the artist's imagination.
Category: American Indian
Subjects/Topics/Concepts:
Beaded Bag (Personal Artifact->Personal Gear->Carrying & Storage), Women (Women)
Geographical Reference: Inland Northwest (Regional)
Dimensions:
Object H x W 13 x 9"
Materials/Techniques:
bead (Material)
cotton (Material)
leather (Material)
wool (Material)
flat stitch beading (Technique)
Related Exhibits:
Credit Line: The Chap C. Dunning Memorial Collection, Gift of Chap C. Dunning, 1962
Copyright:
for copyright permissions contact
Copyright Holder: Eastern Washington State Historical Society (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture), Spokane

To order a reproduction, inquire about permissions, or for information about prices see:
https://www.northwestmuseum.org/collections