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1954.9.23

Pouch of dark blue broadcloth (Stroud cloth) decorated with finely executed thread embroidery and fringed with beaded tassels.

On display

1954.9.23

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Pouch of dark blue broadcloth (Stroud cloth) decorated with finely executed thread embroidery and fringed with beaded tassels.
Long description
Pouch made of fine dark blue broadcloth (Stroud cloth) and lined with black silk. Parts are edged with teal silk ribbon and a line of size 13 white seed beads. Decorated with fine silk embroidery floss. Tassels made of size 8 black, white, red, yellow and green seed beads and red worsted yarn. Two pieces of stroud are sewn together on the side with a band of embroidery around the lower third. The panel edged with silk ribbon and has identical embroidery panels on both sides. Embroidery is very fine. A beaded fringe decorates the bag's bottom panel, and tassels decorate both sides of the bag's top, around the drawstring.
Person
Field collector L. Conningham
Field collector L. Coningham
PRM source Irene Marguerite Beasley
Date / Period
Date made: 1840-1909
Date collected
circa 1909
Acquisition information
Donated: 1954
Materials and processes
Material Textile, Material Bead, Material Wool Yarn Animal, Material Ribbon Textile, Process Embroidered, Process Woven
Dimensions
Length 449 mm including fringe, Width 276 mm including fringe
Object numbers
Accession number: 1954.9.23 Other numbers: Beasley no. 16.10.33
Research and responses

Examined by the GRASAC research team on 12 December 2007 as part of a research project to create a digital database. This will incorporate information about collections of indigenous material culture from the Great Lakes region of North America that are housed in a number of museums on several continents; see https://icslac.carleton.ca/grasac/ . The group identified this as Cree or Metis made between 1800 to 1840 from fine dark blue stroud, silk ribbon, silk embroidery floss, multi-coloured seed beads (size 8) and white beads (size 13), red worsted yarn and porcupine quill wrapping on fringe. The bag has been constructed from two pieces, sewn down the sides, with a drawstring at the top. Embroidered with floral motifs including a sun (central circle in 4 quadrants). [for information on Project see researchers file GRASAC]. [ZM 20/12/2007] [L Peers 14/01/2008]

Final GRASAC entry reads: Materials: Made of fine navy blue stround and lined with black silk. Parts are edged with teal silk ribbon and a line of size 13 white seed beads. Decorated with fine silk embroidery floss. Tassles made of size 8 black, white, red, yellow and green seed beads and red worsted yarn.

Format/Techniques: Two pieces of stroud are sewn together on the side with a band of embroidery around the lower third. The panel edged with silk ribbon and has identical embroidery panels on both sides. Embroidery is very fine. A beaded fringe decorates the bag's bottom panel, and tassles decorate both sides of the bag's top, around the drawstring.

Motifs and Images: Floral motifs.

Symbolism and Interpretation: CW and RP suggest the embroidery is in the Metis style, and may contain four-directons imagery. The panel design includes a triobate motif often seen on Northern Cree work. (LP) [added by Laura Peers, 08/10/2008]

Beasley numbers probably refer to the date on which Beasley acquired an object. [CW 20/7/2000]

Pristine condition overall. Lined with black silk. Rectangular panel design is edged with inner border of faded red/ white/ blue lines chain stitch, then a line of wavy leaf and stem design, then another red/ white/ blue band, then fine blue silk ribbon. Above the panel is one bordered vining line. The colour of the bead fringe (black, white, red yellow, green) suggests Noth Cree/ Métis origin, as does the tightness of embroidery design and execution. The panel design includes a trilobate motif often seen on Northern Cree work. Laura Peers 21/3/2001

The broadcloth used is Stroud cloth according to the GRASAC research team (see research notes). [JN 12/10/2010]

Search terms: Bag, Textile, Trade

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