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2002.84.5

Shot pouch and strap, which comprises white beadwork on red woollen cloth, accented with black silk and lined with plain cotton [ESR 6/2/2003].

2002.84.5

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Collection type
Object
Description
Shot pouch and strap, which comprises white beadwork on red woollen cloth, accented with black silk and lined with plain cotton [ESR 6/2/2003].
Long description
The pouch and strap consist of white beadwork on red woollen cloth, lined with plain cotton. There is a thin strip of silk ribbon around the edge of the pouch and sash, between two outer rows of beads. The pouch is beaded with two areas of floral design, the bottom of which comprises two joined 5-petaled flowers. The central beaded design of the strap is also foliate, with ivy/leaf motifs. There is a small dark stain on the back of the pouch and some of the beads are slightly discoloured. [ESR 6/2/2003].
Geographical reference
Canada
Northern America > North America > Canada
Person
Field collector Unknown Collector
PRM source Lichfield District Council
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1900
Date collected
RDF
Acquisition information
Donated: 2002
Materials and processes
Material Bead, Material Wool Textile Animal, Material Silk Textile Animal, Material Cotton Seed Fibre Textile Plant, Process Beadwork, Process Stitched, Process Dyed
Dimensions
Width 167 mm, Length 728 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 2002.84.5 Other numbers: 1983.93.27
Research and responses

This is part of a matching pair of powder horn/strap [2002.84.4] and shot pouch/strap. It is Western Canadian Metis in style, ca. 1830-60. On stylistic grounds, I believe that these do match the Metis coat and trousers (2002.84.1 and 2), and were made to go as a set with those garments. See illustration of very similar pair in Kane portrait of a Metis man, 1840s. Neither piece appears ever to have been used: no interior staining on bag or on strap lining, and no damage to powder horn. Small area of dark staining (residue of liquid) on strap and beadwork of powder horn. Horn has small split probably due to shifts in humidity in storage environment. Otherwise condition very good. This is a very rare surviving pair: these were made in pairs to be worn with straps crossed caross the bandolier style, but seldom survive as a pair because of the high degree of wear such hunting accoutrements sustained. Other than in sketches and paintings, I have never seen a pair of these items in my career. Information supplied by Dr. Laura Peers [see RDF].

Search terms: Hunting, Bag, Hunting accessory, Sash Belt

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