Materials

green silk; green silk ribbon; pink glazed cotton; size 12 opaque white and clear beads; size 8 opaque white beads; white thread

Techniques or Format

Made from pieces of green silk, edged with green silk ribbon and lined with pink glazed cotton. Flaps are on both sides of the top opening. Decorated with applique beadwork, some of which is raised beadwork, and a looped beaded fringe. A piece of the silk ribbon used to edge the sides of the bag and flaps is attached to the top of the bag, as a strap.

Motifs and Patterns

The bag is decorated with floral and spray motifs.

Original and Subsequent Uses

This type of beaded Chatelaine bag was often made by the Hodenosaunee to sell to Victorian tourists in the Niagara region. Chatelaine refers to a formal waist bag popular among 19th century women.

Dimensions: 17 × 15.5 × 0 cm

Condition: Fragile. The beaded fringe is coming apart in some areas.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 86-39-19

Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/339179

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1986

Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Gift of Marshall Joseph Becker

Collection Narratives and Histories

This relative was given by Marshall Joseph Becker to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1986.

Related language items in the GKS: mnidoomin mnidoomnens mnidoomnens oyę:ˀ

GKS Reference Number: 25133

How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Bag, beaded. GRASAC ID 25133. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 86-39-19.

Record Creation Context

GRASAC study visit, participants: David Penney, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, William Wierzbowski, December 3, 2009
This record was augmented by Joy Kruse on July 7th, 2024.