SKU: 5177-01 210114-01

Antique Mohawk Iroquois Beaded Bag

$525.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

ca. 1860

7" H x 7" W

Hand Crafted with Black Field and Glass Seed Beads in a Floral Motif Design with Handle 

In Very Good Condition

Antique Mohawk Iroquois beaded bags (also called purses or pouches) are beautiful examples of Native American beadwork from the Iroquois Confederacy, particularly associated with the Mohawk people. These items date primarily to the mid- to late-19th century (often circa 1850–1900), with many originating from Mohawk communities near Montreal, Quebec (such as the Caughnawaga/Kahnawake reserve).

Iroquois beadwork, including these bags, evolved significantly in the 19th century. Early influences came from European trade goods like glass seed beads, which allowed for intricate floral designs. Many were produced as "tourist" or souvenir items for non-Native buyers, especially around Niagara Falls or Montreal, featuring raised (3D or embossed) beadwork on velvet or cloth backgrounds. Mohawk artisans often used a limited color palette (clear/white beads dominant, accented by blue, green, red, yellow) and motifs like flowers, leaves, and sometimes whimsical elements. Production peaked in the Victorian era, with similar styles made by other Iroquois nations (e.g., Seneca, Tuscarora), but Mohawk examples frequently tie to the Montreal-area reserves.

Condition: Very Good

Tribe: Iroquois

Year Range: 1900 - 1925

Region: Southwest

Dimensions: 7 in7 in

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