Bag, glass wampum
Bag, glass wampum
Bag, glass wampum
Decorated and constructed with glass beads resembling wampum beads, this relative, a bag, is part of a long, honoured tradition. The maker composed the strap of mostly purple beads with seven pairs of checkered white diamonds. The front flap of the bag is fully covered by beads which create a purple backdrop with four white checkered diamonds. Beads also adorn the front of the bag with a purple backdrop and a number of white and green diamonds of varying sizes, as well as 4 hexagonal shapes. The beadwork is bordered by two rows of plaited red and white quills and a row of bias woven beads on each side. Additionally, numerous metal cones with red-dyed hair line the front.
This relative currently resides at the Städtisches Museum in Braunschweig, Germany.
This relative has been identified as possibly coming from Western Abenaki. This connection was made due to the inventory note from August Wilhelm du Roi which stated that he acquired the pouch "from Sainte Charles on the Champly [now Richelieu] River in Canada, October 3rd 1778". While du Roi failed to note the nation of origin, it is acknowledged that the Western Abenaki were in this area at this time. Source: Stolle, Nikolaus. Talking Beads: The History of Wampum as a Value and Knowledge Bearer from Its Very First Beginnings Until Today. Verlag Dr. Kovač, 2016.
This pouch has also been identified as possibly being Mohawk in origin. Source: Harrison, Julia D. et al. The Spirit Sings: Artistic Traditions of Canada's First Peoples: A Catalogue of the Exhibition. McClelland and Stewart, 1987.
Städtisches Museum Braunschweig records. GRASAC researcher visit to Städtisches Museum Braunschweig, October 2024.
Read More About This Relative
Leather, porcupine quills, glass wampum beads, deer(?) hair, textile, thread.
Loom beading, quill plaiting.
Used as a bag for carrying items.
Provenance
On loan from the Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum. Collected by Brunswick mercenary August Wilhelm du Roi from Sainte Charles on the Champly (now Richelieu) River in October 1778.
Städtisches Museum Braunschweig records.
Stolle, Nikolaus. Talking Beads: The History of Wampum as a Value and Knowledge Bearer from Its Very First Beginnings Until Today. Verlag Dr. Kovač, 2016.
"Souvenirs aus dem amerikanischen Unabhängigkeitskreig" (Souvenirs from the American War of Independence), hosted by Städtisches Museum Braunschweig, 2024
"The Spirit Sings: Artistic Traditions of Canada's First Peoples", hosted by the Glenbow Museum and the National Gallery of Canada, 1988
Städtisches Museum Braunschweig records.
Harrison, Julia D. et al. The Spirit Sings: Artistic Traditions of Canada's First Peoples: A Catalogue of the Exhibition. McClelland and Stewart, 1987.
About This GRASAC Record
Maker, Name unrecorded. Bag, glass wampum. GRASAC ID 59253. Städtisches Museum Braunschweig VM 7250.
Record created by Samantha Giguere on December 4, 2025. Informed by researcher visit to Städtisches Museum Braunschweig, October 21 and 22, 2024. Researchers: Naomi Recollet, Shaelynn Recollet, Daintry Kewayosh, Beendigaygizhig Deleary, Duke Peltier, Samantha Giguere.
45.694882599573, -73.185344338417
An inventory note from August Wilhelm du Roi once accopanied this relative. It stated that he acquired the pouch "from Sainte Charles on the Champly [now Richelieu] River in Canada, October 3rd 1778". Source: Talking Beads: The History of Wampum as a Value and Knowledge Bearer from Its Very First Beginnings Until Today. Verlag Dr. Kovač, 2016.
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