Storage Bags Item Number: 87.88.95A,B from the Portland Art Museum
Description
After the introduction of horses, Plains Indian peoples became much more mobile. Horses allowed them to stay on the move, following the buffalo herds. By necessity, everything families owned had to be portable; they needed a variety of containers to pack belongings when the camp was moved. This pair of Lakota storage bags might have been mounted on saddle bags and would have held anything from clothing to food. They are made from tanned leather and decorated with porcupine quill embroidery across the front, with a beaded strip along each side and across the top flap. Tin cones and dyed horsehair further accent the beaded strips.
Collection History Provenance
The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.
Item History
- Made by Lakota artist during 1890
What
- Name
- Storage Bags
- Identification Number
- 87.88.95A,B
- Type of Item
- saddle bag
- Material
- leather, porcupine quill, glass bead, metal cone and dyed horsehair
- Overall
- height 14.0 in, width 24.0 in
Who
- Culture
- Lakota
- Creator
- Lakota artist
Where
- Holding Institution
- Portland Art Museum
- Made in
- “Plains” ?
When
- Creation Date
- during 1890
Other
- Categories
- Plains; Animal Equipment