Beads: size 10 plus tubular beads in a gun metal colour. Colours and types are: white hearts in rose and orange [CW says orange white hearts give a neat three D effect] , of the navy blue both opaque and transparent. A place where one clear transparent bead has been placed. Is this possibly an irregularity for spiritual reasons? (2 other places where that occurs on this piece.) Thick woolen yarn in orange, sort of a royal blue woolen tape binding. Great big round beads - CW says not famililar, could be quite old. Irregular. Those are in colours of black, green, light yellow and white; Lining is polished cotton print.

Bag consists of flat panel, no pouch.

Panel: Asymmetrical floral consisting of two large green leaves and 2 four petaled flowers and 3 heart shaped flowers. Unlike the other one (BM: Am1978,Q.24), this one does have a traditional white beaded linear beadwork consisting of variations of otter tail motifs at the top on a dark design field, which historically was above the pouch opening. There are 2 sprigs of 5 green leaves and 1 spring of 3 blue leaves. STRAPS: are different on either side, but are unusual in that they replicate the motifs of the panel itself. One one side you have large leaf alternating with the four petaled flower (there is also a spring of 3 blue leaves), on the other alternating with the heart shaped flower although the colour is different than on the panel itself. Beads on tabs - most are white on one side of loop, yellow on the other, 16 tabs total. All of the tassels are the same colour (an orangey peachy colour). All sewn on coarse burlap.

Presence of maple leaves suggests reference to life and renewal because of maple sap/sugar and its function as a sign of spring. Maple leaf can also be read as a sign of Canadian FN as opposed to eagle on American bags. CW learned about maple leaf motif significance when learning and teaching beadwork in Toronto.

Based on Am1978,Q.24.

Unknown Anishinaabe artist, bag, bandolier. Currently in the British Museum, Am1978,Q.25. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 27138.

This record was created on site at the British Museum by Cory Willmott and Heidi Bohaker. Cory Willmott's research was funded by a grant from Pasold Research Fund. Heidi was funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Shannon Murphy worked on this record as a Museum Intern in the Anthropology Teaching Museum at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2010.

created on site at the British Museum by Cory Willmott and Heidi Bohaker, December 2007.