Beaded Bag with Floral Design
Object Label
As northeastern tribes were forced onto reservations and their traditional lifestyles were threatened, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) women looked for new sources of income for their families. They had always been proficient in quillwork and beadwork, so they began to create handbags (as seen here), needle cases, pincushions, watch fobs, and other items for the non-Native tourists who flocked to state fairs and other northeastern tourist spots. Haudenosaunee women set up booths and sold their arts featuring motifs of northeastern flora and fauna directly to eager customers.
Caption
Hodinöhsö:ni’. Beaded Bag with Floral Design, ca. 1880. Velvet, glass beads, cloth, ribbon, cotton thread, sequins, Excluding ribbon handle and fringe: 7 × 6 1/2 in. (17.8 × 16.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Edward J. Guarino Collection in memory of Mauricette (Sue) Castle , 2014.76.27.
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Beaded Bag with Floral Design
Date
ca. 1880
Medium
Velvet, glass beads, cloth, ribbon, cotton thread, sequins
Classification
Dimensions
Excluding ribbon handle and fringe: 7 × 6 1/2 in. (17.8 × 16.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Edward J. Guarino Collection in memory of Mauricette (Sue) Castle
Accession Number
2014.76.27
Frequent Art Questions
This looks ahead of its time!
I can see why! This style of raised beadwork embroidery was created by Haudenosaunee women in the mid 19th century.The style blended indigenous subjects materials and curvilinear design with Victorian ornateness.It as example of how Native women were able to innovate to ensure cultural and economic survival in the midst of colonization. The bags were so popular that Victorian-era settlers can often be seen holding them in photographic portraits from the time.
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