Sioux, northern Plains
1880s
Native hide, glass beads, tin cones, red wool, sinew
Height 5 1/2" (14 cm); width 3 1/4" (8.3 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Cheyenne, WY
Strike-a-lite bags were personal fire-making kits worn at the belt, holding the flint, steel, and tinder required to make fire, among the most essential everyday objects in Plains life before the widespread availability of matches. The fully beaded surface on an object of this small scale reflects the same investment of skill applied to larger prestige objects, the dense geometric beadwork covering the entire front face of the bag. Tin cone fringe and red wool accents are consistent with Sioux personal adornment production of the 1880s, adding movement and color to an object worn visibly at the belt.
This bag is fully beaded on a white ground with polychrome geometric patterning in dark blue, green, red, and ochre, with tin cone fringe at the base and red wool tassel accents at the corners. The suspension cord and overall construction are intact, sinew-sewn throughout. Provenance traces to a private collection in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Sioux, northern Plains
1880s
Native hide, glass beads, tin cones, red wool, sinew
Height 5 1/2" (14 cm); width 3 1/4" (8.3 cm)
Provenance: Private collection, Cheyenne, WY
Strike-a-lite bags were personal fire-making kits worn at the belt, holding the flint, steel, and tinder required to make fire, among the most essential everyday objects in Plains life before the widespread availability of matches. The fully beaded surface on an object of this small scale reflects the same investment of skill applied to larger prestige objects, the dense geometric beadwork covering the entire front face of the bag. Tin cone fringe and red wool accents are consistent with Sioux personal adornment production of the 1880s, adding movement and color to an object worn visibly at the belt.
This bag is fully beaded on a white ground with polychrome geometric patterning in dark blue, green, red, and ochre, with tin cone fringe at the base and red wool tassel accents at the corners. The suspension cord and overall construction are intact, sinew-sewn throughout. Provenance traces to a private collection in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
