Yakima Beaded Bag

Mid 20th Century

6" H x 8.5" W 

Hand Crafted from Hide Leather and Glass Seed Beads Double Sided with Zipper Brown Bag with Black and Orange Star Motif Design

In Very Good Condition

Collected by Robert Nemitz (1905-2005) Superintendent of Anacortes Oil Refineries. Born Iowa - moved to South Dakota near Sioux Reservation, then to Anacortes in 1937 and traveled a lot to Yakima and did the local flea markets

Yakima beaded bags (often spelled Yakama, reflecting the preferred modern spelling for the Yakama Nation) are beautiful examples of traditional Native American Plateau beadwork from the Yakama people of central Washington State.

These bags are a significant part of Yakama cultural heritage and women's artistry. They emerged in the 19th century as European trade introduced glass beads, allowing intricate designs to flourish alongside earlier traditions like cornhusk bags.