Iroquois Beaded Bag

Iroquois Beaded Bag

This Iroquois beaded bag with Looped Edging is an beautiful find! The artist sewed two beaded dark brown velvet panels together for the exterior of the purse. They then used more brown velvet for decorative flaps on the front and back. They added raised beadwork onto the velvet, using variety of seed beads to create identical floral designs and borders on the front and back. Colors include White, Pink, Translucent Red, White Center Red, Translucent Green, Translucent Amber, Crystal, Greasy Yellow, Opal Alabaster, Translucent Pony Trader Blue, Pony Trader Blue, and Chartreuse. The artist edge beaded the flaps with White 8/0 pony beads. Next, they lined the purse with tan fabric and covered the seams with red fabric. For a finishing touch, they attached White, Crystal, Trans. Amber, and Arapaho Green beaded loops to the edges of the purse.

Condition

Circa late 1800's to early 1900's, this purse is in remarkable condition. The Iroquois beaded bag velvet exterior and fabric interior have no holes or rips, nor does the red binding. There has been no major bead loss except for on the looped edging (see photo) and a small spot in the corner of one of the flaps. Overall, the centerpiece floral beadwork has held up wonderfully overtime with only one loose loop of chartreuse beading on the reverse side. The original artist used a paper pattern when planning their design. This paper is still intact beneath the beadwork but it is only visible on closer inspection. Any bead loss can be carefully restored using the proper techniques.
This Purse measures 4 3/4" long by 5" at its widest point.
One of a Kind!
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Categories: AntiquesCollectibles

SKU: 2222-777-031-C

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