bag, beaded

bag, beaded

bag, beaded

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Introduction

This beaded Hodenosaunee bag was likely collected around 1853. In 1942, Misses Atkinson and Mrs. Thomas B. Ellis gifted it 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)

Museum documentation suggests that the bag is Hodenosaunee. This attribution is further supported by the beadwork style.

Date Made or Date Range: 1800s to 1853
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation.

Materials

beige velvet; aqua silk; aqua silk ribbon; pink silk; cotton; small (size 12?) glass beads in opaque white, light blue, medium blue, lavender, dusty rose, green, yellow, orange, translucent green, translucent rose; medium-sized (size 10?) opaque white glass beads; paper; beige thread.

Techniques or Format

Two oval-shaped velvet panels with scalloped edges, joined with aqua silk, shirred for distension. One side has a flap, under which is a small pocket with an opening edged in pink silk. Both panels are decorated with beadwork applique, a scalloped border of beadwork, aqua ribbon and single-bead picot edging. An aqua ribbon strap is attached to the top of the bag.

Motifs and Patterns

The bag is decorated with motifs of flowers, leaves and buds.

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: 19 × 17 × 0 cm
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The museum record indicates this bag was collected around 1853.

Current Location: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 42-18-1
Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/14087
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1942
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Gift of the Misses Atkinson and Mrs. Thomas. B. Ellis
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1853
Collection Narratives and Histories

This relative was given to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology by Misses Atkinson and Mrs. Thomas. B. Ellis in 1942.

GKS Reference Number: 25721
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Bag, beaded. GRASAC ID 25721. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 42-18-1.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

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.

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