{"product_id":"antique-potawatomi-beaded-bandolier-bag-late-19th-century-authentic-native-american-gm232","title":"Antique Potawatomi Beaded Bandolier Bag - late 19th century, authentic Native American  (GM232)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis fabulous, antique Potawatomi bandolier bag is a real work of art!  Made in the late 1800s, the canvas bag is overlaid with black velvet fabric and gorgeous loomed Venetian glass beads in a geometric and floral pattern. The bottom of the bag has a loomed fringe with handmade wool pompoms.  Just wonderful!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDETAILS\u003cbr\u003eSize:  40 1\/2\" hanging length to bottom of fringe, strap is 5 1\/4\" wide, body of bag is approximately 15\" long x 13 1\/2\" wide\u003cbr\u003eCondition: antique, from a private collection, excellent condition for age - staining on canvas back, small areas of loose or missing beadwork, one wool pompom missing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Potawatomi, also spelled Pottawatomi and Pottawatomie (among many variations), are an Indigenous North American tribe of the Great Plains, upper Mississippi River, and western Great Lakes region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBandolier bags are large, heavily beaded pouches with a slit at the top. They have a beaded strap worn diagonally over the shoulder, thus resting the bag at hip level. The design is created using glass beads, a European trade good that replaced the traditional porcupine quills. The bags themselves are typically constructed from trade cloth, such as cotton, wool, velvet, or leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Great Lakes Native American beaded bandolier bag was copied from those used by European soldiers to carry cartridges for their rifles. Early bags did not have a pocket, but were solely for decoration. Beaded bandolier bags were produced mainly from the latter half of the 19th century through the first half of the 20th century, but they continue to be made today. The floral design of the bandolier bag is typical of Great Lakes Native American work. The design first appeared around 1800 and by 1900 had become the dominant pattern in the area. Bandolier bags are constructed and beaded by women, though they are used primarily to complete the ceremonial outfits worn by men. There are, however, examples of older women wearing them in photographs. Sometimes more than one bag is worn. Bandolier bags are considered objects of prestige within the tribes that produce them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechniques of Beadwork\u003cbr\u003eThe beaded designs on bandolier bags are created through a variety of techniques, such as loom-beading and spot-stitching. Loom-beading uses a wooden loom; the bead designs are created using techniques similar to weaving textiles on a loom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpot-stitching was first developed through the introduction of seed beads. Spot-stitching means that beads are strung onto one thread and laid in place. The beads are then tacked down with an additional piece of thread at “spots” of three or four beads. Large areas could be filled quickly using this method, and the seed beads made it easier to create curvilinear designs. The beaded design is sewn onto a separate piece of cloth, which is then attached to the actual bag and shoulder straps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGM232\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Sundance Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43222903554153,"sku":null,"price":1850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0242\/5605\/3353\/files\/IMG_4806.jpg?v=1778769366","url":"https:\/\/thesundancegallery.com\/products\/antique-potawatomi-beaded-bandolier-bag-late-19th-century-authentic-native-american-gm232","provider":"The Sundance Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}