Purse
Textile MakerMade by
Northeastern Woodlands People
Native American
Dateabout 1838-1850
MediumHand-sitched cotton, silk, glass and metal beads, paper, brass hook and eye
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 5 3/8 x 6in. (13.7 x 15.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Edward Ingraham
DescriptionBlack velvet purse in a rounded shape, with a pointed flap that closes with a brass hook and eye. The velvet is worked on the front with designs of curls and 3-petaled motifs in concentric lines in red, golden brown, green, blue, pink, bronze, and yellow beads. The edges of the purse are bordered with white beads worked in a zig zag over a straight line. The back of the purse is worked with a diamond motif, with three corners extending into the three-petaled motif. Emanating from the top corner is a stylized pair of wings. The purse is bound with pink silk. It is interlined with stiff paper and lined with glazed ecru cotton.
Object number1959.35.4
InscribedWritten in pencil inside flap (barely visible): "S M..."On View
Not on view
