Bag, glass wampum

Bag, glass wampum

Bag, glass wampum

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Introduction

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.

Name of Maker(s): Unrecorded
Nation of Maker: Mohawk Other
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

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.

Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Städtisches Museum Braunschweig records. GRASAC researcher visit to Städtisches Museum Braunschweig, October 2024.

Materials

Leather, porcupine quills, glass wampum beads, deer(?) hair, textile, thread.

Techniques or Format

Loom beading, quill plaiting.

Original and Subsequent Uses

Used as a bag for carrying items.

Condition: Stable condition.
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: VM 7250
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Braunschweigisches Landesmuseum
Date Relative was First Removed or Collected from its Community Context: 1778
Collection Narratives and Histories

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.

Source for Provenance information

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.

Exhibition History

"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

Comment on Source of Exhibition & Publication Data

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.

GKS Reference Number: 59253
How to Cite this Item

Maker, Name unrecorded. Bag, glass wampum. GRASAC ID 59253. Städtisches Museum Braunschweig VM 7250.

Record Creation Context

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.

Approximate Place of Origin

45.694882599573, -73.185344338417

Source of Information about Places

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.