pouch-style bag; front panel beaded with five repeating geometric motifs (predominately pink, light blue, tan) on white beaded ground; nine beaded fringe dangles with yarn tassels; checkerboard motif beaded strap, in blue, green, white, purple and olive

Bandolier Bag, 1860s

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Women made bandolier bags for men as prestige items and developed this Woodlands art form. This bag is an exceptional early example of this genre. A repeating X pattern on the panel alludes to the Thunderbird, a central being in Anishinabe traditional belief. Wavy, white lines along the bag's edge represent lightning which is associated with this powerful being. Shades of blue, green, and yellow not only highlight the intricacy of the design, but also illustrate the artist's originality in the composition of the bag. The ingenious use of color combined with elegant geometric and representational designs makes it a masterpiece of Anishinabe beadwork.

Details
Title
Bandolier Bag
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2005.43
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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pouch-style bag; front panel beaded with five repeating geometric motifs (predominately pink, light blue, tan) on white beaded ground; nine beaded fringe dangles with yarn tassels; checkerboard motif beaded strap, in blue, green, white, purple and olive