New-York tribune., 1901-09-26
INDIAN ART PRODUCTS.
THAT COULD BE USED IN THE
ADORNMENT OF HOUSES

There IS evidence on every hand of an increasing
demand for the art products of North American
Indians. Dealers in artistic pottery and similar
articles beginning with some zest to aSitate
the question of obtaining objects Of Indian manu-
facture for their warehouses, and Americans are
awakening to the fact that while they have been
sending merchants TO scour the Orient for things
quaint and curious with which to adorn their
dwellings a rich treasure was lying neglected at
their doors
Some OF the Northwestern tribes have in the
past wrought rare and beautiful objects of copper
and silver, but. partly for lack of a market and
party because of their own poverty, these indus
tries are now forgotten, and others almost equally
valuable will also be lost unless commercial
encoura cement is given Immediately. The beauty
of Indian products that obtainabe and
their adaptability to home decoration are thus
illustrated in a recent number of The Up
holsterer'':
The Nez Perce tribe make a peculiar fat saddle
bag of hemp. with a fine oycrstitch OF threaded
corn husks. 1t is strikngly decorative. and the
ssats and backs or curtain stufs At the meeting
CT the Mohonk Conference, last autuinn we're
made by the little Indian girls. They were de-
over from the Orient. The Pueblos potters OF
rare skill. Several tribes do bead work, very SINH
What they do in moccasin embroidery can be just
well carried out in larger pieces for interior
4 for & bead bead a % belts ana d th
ing of purses and belts could he just well APP
piled the making of valsnces, galloons borders,
Some OF the old Episcopal mission chapels in
the West gorgeous in their ecclesiastical fur
nishngs for the communion table and altar-all
contributed by the Indians AS for basketry, II is
surprising what unusual skill is portrayed in the
manipulation of reeds. either fine coarse. One
who has examined the Indian basket has
conception of the character of the work and
Yet the Alaskan Indians who make some of the
point of starvation only last winter. The Pimas.
OF Arizona. manipulate willow in way that is
marvellous. They can manufacture anything. from
Il heavy chair to a watch charm. The Mokis the
ADaches and the Indians of California make a
fabric OF maidenhair fern stems interviewer with
cedar roots and other tribes utilize feathers
for decorative purposes. We know Of one case
where $50 was paid for old Porsso basket
made Of interviewer feathers.
1T has been predicted that in time Indian curios
Will become popular the Oriental decora-
tions used 1T present" said dealer yesterday.
THE unusual color effects and odd designs so
much admired in objects brought from the East
also present in the Indian products. and there
is no lack OF skill. for many of these arts have
been handed down from generation to generation.
In the past the public has become acquainted with
Indian work chiefly by of occasional ex-
hibitions. and through sales by special vendors
II, however, the large dealers follow the sugges
tons lately made by Of their number. and
put themselves into direct communicat ton with the
Indian agencies. there is prospect of widespread
interest in these neglected works of art. There
fifty-siX Indian agencies established by the
government in different parts of the country"