Artist:Nez Perce
Medium: Grass, wool
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:late 19th or early 20th century
Dimensions: 21 7/8 x 13 9/16 in. (55.6 x 34.4 cm)
Collections:
Accession Number: 46.193.3
Image: 46.193.3_PS1.jpg,
Catalogue Description: Flat bag of woven grass with a drawstring around the top. The designs of wool and grass on each side are different. One side has a diagonal striped design while the other has fringed triangles and diamond shapes arranged in a vertical pattern. Basic materials for bags like this one were originally hemp or grass but when cotton became available through trade, weavers switched to cotton. Dyed cornhusks were sometimes used for the designs. The particular patterns on this bag appear to show the influence of Plains parfleche patterns on Northwest Coast weavers. After Europeans introduced the horse to North America, Native people from these areas interacted regularly. Soft woven bags like this one were often used to carry goods on horseback from one place to another or to simply store and protect berries, roots, and nuts from moisture and dust. Condition: good; some of the wool is faded.