bag, beaded

bag, beaded

bag, beaded

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Introduction

This relative is a bag with a silk body made of two beaded Hodenosaunee moccasin vamps. The materials used, as well as the the reconfiguration of moccasin vamps into a pouch, suggests that a European or settler North American woman bought the vamps and then used them to make up the bag. It was likely made before 1860. In 1992, Marshall Joseph Becker gifted the bag to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology where it currently resides. 

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Maker role: Artist
Nation of Maker: Hodenosaunee/Haudenosaunee
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

The attribution to Haudenosaunee is based on beadwork style. The materials (silk and the tassel, which belongs to a category of manufactured trim known as 'passementerie' used in soft furnishings) and the reconfiguration of moccasin vamps into a pouch suggests that a European or settler North American woman bought the vamps and then used them to make up the bag.

Date Made or Date Range: 1830 to 1860
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.

Materials

pink silk; dark brown or black cotton cloth; size 12 glass beads in white, rose, blue, greasy blue, mustard, red heart, translucent mustard, green, and clear; silvery cream twisted silken cord; passementerie tassel; beige thread; paper.

Techniques or Format

This purse appears to be made from two moccasin vamps, used as panels. They are joined by a ruffled side gusset of pink silk, pieces of which are also sewn onto the top of the vamps. Twisted cord has been sewn along the top, as an edging, and attached to either side as a handle. A large tassel is attached to one side.

Motifs and Patterns

The bag is decorated with two-toned floral motifs.

Other Notes

Ruth Phillips says the moccasin vamps were probably bought and then made into a bag by the buyer.

Dimensions: 9.7 × 10.7 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The attribution is based on stylistic features and Gerry Biron's timeline of developments in Hodenosaunee beadwork.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 92-12-6
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/168683
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1992
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 1992.

GKS Reference Number: 25713
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Bag, beaded. GRASAC ID 25713. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 92-12-6.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

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

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