woven bag

woven bag

woven bag

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Introduction

Finger woven woollen yarn bag with strap, ornamented with interwoven white beads in geometric designs. On one side: vertical parallel zigzag lines and paired opposing zigzag lines that form diamonds. On the other side: horizontal parallel zigzag lines. Possibly a resist dying technique(?) used on yarn in the fringe. Likely Anishinaabe, made c.1750-1775. Purchased from James P. Economos.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Nation of Origin

Museum documentation

Date Made or Date Range: 1750s to 1770s
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

GRASAC generated

Materials

woollen yarn, dyed red and dark brown; blue silk ribbon; white beads

Techniques or Format

Finger woven woollen yarn with strap, ornamented with interwoven white beads in geometric designs. Opening of the bag is trimmed with blue silk ribbon. Bottom of bag has fringe of threads which are braided and then tied off into loose threads. Some threads are ornamented with white beads. Yarn in fringe has been dyed using a resist dying technique(?). Alternating weaving technique found along the opening of the bag.

Motifs and Patterns

One side: vertical geometric designs of double zigzag lines, and diamond pattern or opposing zigzag lines or "X"s. Other side: horizontal geometric designs of double zigzag lines. Resist dying technique in woollen yarn of fringe creates two rectangular shapes. Diagonal lines in interwoven beads of strap.

Dimensions: 39 × 42 × 0 cm
Condition: Good - ribbon is fragile, strap broken or was perhaps never intended to be used as a strap(?)
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Museum documentation

Current Location: Denver Art Museum, CO, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1970.543
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1970
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Purchased from James P. Economos
Collection Narratives and Histories

This relative may have been sold at auction on December 8, 1969 by Sotheby and Co. at Warwick Castle, England (this information was provided by Eli Motsay in October, 2024 via GRASAC webform submission).

It was later purchased by the National Museum of Ireland from James P. Economos in 1970.

Publication History

Potential source provided by Eli Motsay:
Catalogue of Primitive Art and Indian Sculpture: The Property of The Trustees of The Warwick Castle Resettle­ment “A Collection of American Indian and Oceanic Art: The Property of The Trustees of The Warwick Castle Resettlement” Sotheby and Co. , London, on 8 December 1969.

Sources to Learn More

Kaufman, J.E. (2003). "Ralph T. Coe discusses his collection and how the market for American Indian material has changed over the years," The Art Newspaper. https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2003/10/01/ralph-t-coe-discusses-his-co…
"James Economos in Santa Fe was the first dealer in North America specialising in American Indian art and once had the market nearly to himself, as far as I know."

Art Daily. (2019). "James Economos: A life remembered." https://artdaily.cc/news/116029/James-Economos--A-life-remembered

GKS Reference Number: 25841
Record Creation Context

Visit to Denver Art Museum of Alex Nahwegahbow and Ruth Phillips, assisted by Eric Berkemeyer and Kristin Strid on 22 Jan 2014

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