Apache Beaded Bag with Strap

ca. 1870

4" x 2" Bag Measures about 5" H and the strap about 28" L Total (14" above Bag) and Beaded Fringe

Hand Crafted from Hide Leather and Glass Seed Beads in a Checkered Motif Design and a Long Strap with Brass Buttons Closure for Flap A very Rare item Indeed!

In Very Good Condition

Apache beaded bags with straps are traditional Native American artifacts, often associated with the Apache people (including groups like the Mescalero or Jicarilla Apache). These are typically small pouches or purses made from leather (like deerskin or buckskin), elaborately decorated with glass seed beads in geometric, floral, or symbolic patterns using techniques like lazy stitch or peyote stitch.

They served practical purposes historically, such as strike-a-light bags (for carrying fire-starting tools like flint and tinder), medicine bags, or personal pouches. Many feature a flap closure, fringe for decoration and movement, and a long strap (often leather or beaded) to wear over the shoulder, across the body, or attached to a belt. Sizes vary from small (around 4-6 inches) to larger ones (8-10 inches or more), with straps sometimes 15-30 inches long.