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Bag

Datec. 1840
DimensionsOverall: 7 × 6 3/4 in. (17.8 × 17.1 cm)
Object numberT0687
Credit LineGift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw
Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, NYC
Label TextThis finely beaded bag has cosmological symbolism in its design. The curved elements radiating from the central diamond relate to the four cardinal directions of the universe. The central diamond symbolizes the centre of the universe, or the opening in the sky through which Sky Woman fell. Haudenosaunee women began to make beaded bags for sale to travellers and tourists around 1800. Some of these bags may have been used for medicinal purposes among the Haudenosaunee.
Exhibition History"Art Des Indiens D'Amerique Du Nord Dans La Collection D'Eugene Thaw," Mona Bismarck Foundation, Paris, France, Somogy Editions D'Art, January 21, 2000 - March 18, 2000.

"Treasures from the Thaw Collection," Wheelwright Museum of American Indian Art. Santa Fe, NM, May 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000.
ProvenanceWilliam Channing, Santa Fe, New Mexico
BibliographyD'Ambrosio, Paul. "The Erie Canal and New York State Folk Art." The Magazine Antiques, (April 1999)p.602, pl.XV, p.603.

Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.43.

Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 47.

Perriot, Francoise, and Slim Batteux, trans. Art des Indiens d'Amerique du Nord: Dans la Collection d'Eugene et Clare Thaw. Paris: Somogy editions d'Art, 1999, p. 35, fig. 22.
On View
On view
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
c. 1850-1870
Bag
Seneca (Haudenosaunee)
c. 1840-1860
Bag
Niantic or Mohegan
c. 1860-1890
Bag
Niantic or Mohegan
c. 1860-1890
Wedding Basket
Dine (Navajo)
1900-1920

5798 STATE HIGHWAY 80
COOPERSTOWN NY, 13326
607-547-1400

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