Iroquois Floral Beadwork Purse

Iroquois Floral Beadwork Purse

This Iroquois Purse with Floral Beadwork is an nice 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  beadwork onto the velvet, using variety of seed beads to create identical floral designs and borders on the front and back. Colors include White, Pale Pink, Rose White Center Red, Sioux Green, Translucent Amber, Crystal, Greasy Yellow, Mustard, Alabaster, and Opal Alabaster. The artist edged beaded the flaps of Alabaster seed beads. Next, they lined the purse with brown fabric and covered the seams with red fabric. For a finishing touch, they sewed sequins with Opal Alabaster seed beads on the front and back (see photo).

Condition

Circa late 1800's to early 1900's, this purse has been well loved. The velvet exterior has no holes or rips, but the side seams are coming apart near the top of the bag. There has been no major bead loss except for some of the edge beading on the edges of the flaps, a few spots in the beaded borders, and where some sequins originally were. Overall, the centerpiece floral beadwork has held up overtime. The original artist used a paper pattern when planning their design. This paper is still intact beneath the beadwork as well as between the exterior velvet and cloth liner, but it is only visible on closer inspection. The stitching holding on the fabric handle has come loose on one side, however this can be repaired easily by a competent sewer. Likewise, the bead loss can also be restored using the proper techniques.
This Purse measures 6 1/2" long by 6 1/4" at its widest point.
One of a Kind!
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Categories: AntiquesCollectibles

SKU: 2222-777-031-A

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