chatelaine bag

chatelaine bag

chatelaine bag

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Introduction

Chatelaine bag made of two pieces of dark brown velvet sewn together, trimmed with red cotton ribbon. The top is possibly trimmed with red silk, with raised beadwork floral motif with a paper backing underneath on the back and the front. There are remnants of a broken strap. Originally collected by F Wester and W Scholz, this item is currently housed at the Weltmuseum Wien, Austria.

Name of Maker(s): Unknown Haudenosaunee artist
Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Nation of Origin

These types of bags were known to have been made by Haudenosaunee women, specifically to be sold as part of the tourist craft at Niagara Falls. The raised beadwork floral technique is common with Haudenosaunee designs. See a similar example at the National Museums Scotland: GKS ID 24829 -Autumn Epple

Date Made or Date Range: Late 19 C
Materials

Dark brown velvet, trimmed with red cotton tape, top is possibly trimmed with red silk, polished cotton, beads.

Techniques or Format

Two pieces sewn together, both the front and back have a flap sewn on.

Motifs and Patterns

Beaded floral motif that looks like it was raised at one point, paper backing underneath design; same on front and back.

Dimensions: 18.5 × 19 × 0 cm
Condition: One side, the flap has missing beads, the reverse side is in better condition; remnants of a broken strap.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Chatelaine bags are late 19th century formal women's bag meant to be pinned and worn at the waist. There is a nearly identical example within the collections at the National Museums Scotland, GKS ID 24849. -Autumn Epple

Current Location: Weltmuseum Wien, Vienna, Austria
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 163385
Previous Collectors: F Wester and W Scholz
GKS Reference Number: 59001
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Haudenosaunee artist, chatelaine bag. Currently in the Weltmuseum Wien, Vienna, Austria, 163385. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip January 2016; GRASAC item id 59001.

Record Creation Context

In January of 2016, a small team of GRASAC researchers visited the collection to study and photograph it: Ruth Phillips, Lisa Truong, Naomi Recollet (Anishinaabe (Odawa/Ojibwe), Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory) and Wahsontiio Cross (Mohawk, Kahnawake). This GKS record was created in November of 2021 by GRASAC RA Aidan Mitchell-Boudreau.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.0612, -78.4489

Source of Information about Places

Haudenosaunee territory is located in North-eastern North America.

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