bag
date: label: Date made
content: ca. 1840
notes: label: Description
content: The distinctive line beadwork of tiny white beads on this handbag identifies it as Iroquois. It was made between 1840 and 1859, most likely by a female member of the Six Nations of the Iroquois. Some Iroquois (such as Senecas and Mohawks) live near Niagara Falls, NY, where they sold beaded items like this bag, along with fine basketwork, to visiting tourists. Their participation on the tourist economy began in the latter part of the 19th century with the establishment of Niagara Falls as a touring destination for Americans. They also wore and used the things they sold within their own communities. Some of these items are still being made, though in slightly modernized styles with modern beads, and sold in the Niagara Falls area.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: New York
topic: label: made by
content: Native Americans
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Costume
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Mrs. S. E. Cummings
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: CS.014312
label: catalog number
content: 014312
label: accession number
content: 055589
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Bag
label: Object Type
content: Accessories Carried
label: Object Type
content: Woman
label: Object Type
content: Bag
label: Object Type
content: Bags
label: Other Terms
content: Bag; Bags; Accessories Carried; Female
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 4 7/8 in x 5 3/8 in; 12.3825 cm x 13.6525 cm