Woven Bag Item Number: 46.193.3 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
The object is a woven flat bag of woven grass with a drawstring around the top. The designs of wool and grass on each side of the bag 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 Americans 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. The object is in good condition. Some of the wool is faded.
Credit Line
Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund
Item History
- Made between 1868 and 1933
What
Who
- Culture
- Nez Perce
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1868 and 1933
Other
- Classification
- Carrier