Plateau Horse Pictorial Beaded Flat Bag

Plateau Horse Pictorial Beaded Flat Bag
ca. 1880
Size 11.5" H x 9.625" W
Hand Made with Curvelianer Beadwork of a Blue Horse and Yellow Mane with Yellow, Blue and Green Flowers and a Red Fabric Rim with 2 Hide Straps
In Good Condition with Light Stains as Pictured
A Plateau Horse Pictorial Beaded Flat Bag is a traditional Native American artifact from the Plateau region, which includes parts of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. These bags are crafted by Plateau tribes, such as the Nez Perce or Yakima, and are known for their intricate beadwork and cultural significance.
The bags typically feature pictorial designs, with horse motifs being common due to the cultural importance of horses in Plateau tribes. The horse may be depicted alone or within a scene, often surrounded by floral or geometric patterns. Beadwork often includes vibrant colors like bronze, purple, red, green, and blue, set against a white or light blue background.
Made with materials like velveteen, leather, or hide, with glass seed beads (often Venetian or trade beads) hand-stitched onto the surface. The bags may have fabric linings, such as printed cotton or trade cloth, and sometimes include leather or beaded handles.