Great Lakes region, United States
19th century
Glass beads, cloth, velvet
Height 42" (106.7 cm) including tassels
Provenance: Collection of Sir John Everett Millais, London (1829 to 1896); Speak Bequest, UK; William Ohly (1883 to 1955), Berkeley Galleries, London, and Abbey Museum, Hertfordshire, UK; thence by descent
Bandolier bags of the Great Lakes tradition rank among the most technically accomplished textile arts produced in nineteenth century North America, combining fine glass seed beadwork with carefully composed floral designs. This example is worked on a white beaded ground with spot stitched flowers, buds, and leaves rendered in blue, rose, gold, and green across the shoulder strap and central pouch. A band of black velvet frames the pouch, and beaded tabs and tassels complete the lower edge.
The bag descends through an exceptional chain of British collections, having been held by the Pre Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millais before passing through the Speak Bequest, the Berkeley Galleries, and the Abbey Museum in Hertfordshire. This caliber of documented European provenance spanning nearly a century and a half is unusual for Great Lakes material and adds considerable historical weight to an already accomplished object.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Great Lakes region, United States
19th century
Glass beads, cloth, velvet
Height 42" (106.7 cm) including tassels
Provenance: Collection of Sir John Everett Millais, London (1829 to 1896); Speak Bequest, UK; William Ohly (1883 to 1955), Berkeley Galleries, London, and Abbey Museum, Hertfordshire, UK; thence by descent
Bandolier bags of the Great Lakes tradition rank among the most technically accomplished textile arts produced in nineteenth century North America, combining fine glass seed beadwork with carefully composed floral designs. This example is worked on a white beaded ground with spot stitched flowers, buds, and leaves rendered in blue, rose, gold, and green across the shoulder strap and central pouch. A band of black velvet frames the pouch, and beaded tabs and tassels complete the lower edge.
The bag descends through an exceptional chain of British collections, having been held by the Pre Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millais before passing through the Speak Bequest, the Berkeley Galleries, and the Abbey Museum in Hertfordshire. This caliber of documented European provenance spanning nearly a century and a half is unusual for Great Lakes material and adds considerable historical weight to an already accomplished object.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
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