c. 1820-1830 NORTHEASTERN WOODLANDS BEADED FLAT BAG

This beaded flat bag, for its age, is in spectacularly good condition with all fabric and beadwork original and intact.  There is some thinning of the moss green velvet in places, and several tiny spots of micro bead loss.  Please examine photographs thoroughly; they were taken in natural light and some in macro.

The body of the bag is moss green velvet beaded with a different geometric pattern recto and verso.  One side depicts a central “radiant” sun in white micro beads accompanied by two lesser suns beaded in Crow pink and Bodmer blue.  From the central white beaded sun spring long arching stems topped with white heart shaped blooms, each with a three leaf clover motif within, and French steel cuts dotted around the heart.

The second side reminds me of the human heart within which are stylized patterns surrounded by brass cut beads, like the sun’s rays springing from them.  This side also has long arching stems, not so delicate, topped with double four petal flowers which have been solidly beaded inside with French steel cuts. 

The bag’s edge binding is red silk, the top edge binding is moss green silk, and the interior lining is gold silk.  All are intact and original.  

Throughout the bag one sees the use of metal cut beads, imported from France, in both brass and steel.  This is a hallmark of Wabanaki   beadwork, perhaps due to proximity to the French in Canada, as is the use of silk in linings and in the top edgings.  I have several Maliseet pieces lined in the same gold silk as this bag.

MEASURES:  7 inches high by 6.5 inches wide, minus bottom fringe.

This is an historic example of early Native American, Northeastern Woodlands beadwork in overall excellent condition.  It would be an important addition to any collection.

If you have any questions, please email me.  Payment is due within five (5) days of auction’s end.  I charge exact shipping costs only via U.S. Priority Mail.  Thank you for looking. 

North American Indian beadwork flat bag purse pouch Algonquin Abenaki Maliseet Passamaquoddy Penobscot Micmac Mi’kMaq Mohawk Iroquois