Iroquois Bag Floral BeadworkIroquois Bag Floral BeadworkIroquois Bag Floral Beadwork
Iroquois Bag Floral Beadwork

Iroquois Bag Floral Beadwork

Iroquois Bag Floral Beadwork

This Iroquois Bag with Floral Beadwork will make an exquisite addition to your collection! 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 floral beadwork onto the velvet, using variety of seed beads and 8/0 Pony Beads to create identical floral designs and borders on the front and back. Colors include White, Cheyenne Pink, White Center Red, Translucent Green, Translucent Yellow, Crystal, Greasy Yellow, Crow Pale Blue, and Pony Trader Blue. 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 binding. For a finishing touch, they attached a tan ribbon for a handle.

Condition

Circa late 1800s to early 1900s, this beaded bag has been well loved. The velvet exterior has no holes or rips, but the red fabric edging has worn apart in places on the sides, base, and near the opening of the bag. There has been no major bead loss except for some white beads missing from the borders. Overall, the centerpiece floral beadwork has held up wonderfully over time with minimal loss only on one of the blue flowers. The original artist used a paper pattern when planning the 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 close inspection. The tan handle for the purse has torn apart in the middle and been tied back together, however the entire handle can be replaced easily by a competent sewer. Likewise, the bead loss can also be carefully restored using the proper techniques.
This Purse measures 7 1/2" long by 7 1/4" at its widest point.
One of a Kind!
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This item has sold but we have archived it for reference purposes. You may find a similar item available at WanderingBull.com. Please click on the links below to see what we have currently in stock.

We are always interested in buying Native American collections and One of a Kind items. For more information please call us 800-430-2855 or email Chris Bullock at chris@wanderingbull.com

Categories: AntiquesCollectibles

SKU: 2222-001-750

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