Materials

Velvet, Cotton fabric, Thread, Clear, translucent and solid glass seed beads in red (2 shades), pink (2 shades), purple, gold, blue (2 shades), green, yellow, white and off-white

Techniques or Format

Hand-stitched, black velvet lined with off-cotton fabric, with beaded cuff and panel, Legging constructed in two pieces, two seams down outside of leg incorporate a strip of fabric fitted in gap between selvage edges, beaded cuff, approx. 14 cm W, added to bottom of leg, Bead panel, approx. 14 cm W, overlaps cuff and extends approx. 55 cm over side seam, both cuff and panel have a second lining layer, fabric remnants alongside of panel suggest that edges were bound with red wool fabric.

Motifs and Patterns

Decorative floral design beadwork incorporating large blooms, blue and green leaves and white stalks; clear, translucent and solid glass seed beads in red (2 shades), pink (2 shades), purple, gold, blue (2 shades), green, yellow, white and off-white, bead sizes range from 8 to 10 beads/cm.

Original and Subsequent Uses

personal use

Dimensions: 75 × 27 × 0 cm

Condition: Fair, Numerous small areas of wear and loss of velvet nap, Loss of majority of binding on panel, Beads soiled over all, Torn lining seam in (B).

Current Location: Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: H4-2-456 A,B

Link to Institution's Collections Database: https://manitobamuseum.ca/main/collections-research/collections-database/

Collection at Current Location: Cultural Anthropology Collection

Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 2016/07/25

Collection Narratives and Histories

This is a beautiful collection of beaded and handmade objects with excellent provenance from the area immediately adjacent to Roseau River First Nation. These objects are more than 115 years old and represent both indigenous artistry and the kinds of relationships which existed between settlers and First Nations peoples.

Exhibition History

MM Exhibit: "Legacies of Confederation: A New Look at Manitoba History"

GKS Reference Number: 58904

How to Cite this Item

Manitoba Museum