Materials

Green velvet, Stroud cloth (wool), wool yarn, glass beads, thread.

Techniques or Format

The floral beadwork on the central green velvet section was probably achieved through either the spot-stitching and/or appliqué techniques, whereas the beadwork on the strap (upper) and the lower section was likely accomplished using loom-weaving (due to its precision). The entire edge of the bag is lined with red wool cloth. The strap and lower section of the bag are entirely beaded, as opposed to the partially-beaded green velvet mid-section. The lower section also contains, at the very bottom of the bag, beaded tassles (likely loom-woven) with yarn fringes. The bag does have a functioning pocket, however it has been sewn shut.

Motifs and Patterns

The bag contains both geometric and floral motifs. The bag also appears to display geometrically abstract floral interpretations on its lower section. The strap contains a many-colored zig-zag design on one side and on the other side it shows a different multi-colored design containing squares and diamond-like shapes.

Other Notes

The bag's inclusion of precise floral imagery, precise geometric imagery, AND a meshing of geometric abstract floral motifs could suggest a possible shift in stylistic imagery at the time of the bag's construction.

Condition: Overall Good. Very little wear, although some beads are missing on the lower part of the strap, where it meets the green velvet. The pocket is stitched shut.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Date appearing on the catalog card at the Pomona College Museum of Art Collections.

Current Location: Pomona College Museum of Art, Claremont, CA, USA

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: P2120

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1939

GKS Reference Number: 25441