Plains Beaded Bags, Moccasins and Gauntlets
Numerous museums and galleries have produced major exhibitions on Plains Indian beadwork. Fancy beadwork was preceded by ornate quillwork in the northern Plains before the introduction of “pony beads”, Venetian and Bohemian glass beads delivered by pony pack trains in the late 1700’s. In the second half of the 19th century, seed beads replaced the larger pony beads as the preferred decoration for Sioux, Kiowa, Crow, Cheyenne, Arapahoe and other Plains tribes clothing and accessories. Between 1850 and 1900, an explosion of fine Plains art occurred, spurred by increased interaction with traders, dealers, tourists and collectors. (Continued below.)
Northern Cheyenne Tobacco or Pipe Bag - Margaret Sooktis
Plains Beadwork $1,750.00
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Northern Cheyenne Paint Bag - Mildred Red Cherries
Plains Beadwork $750.00
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Shoshone Bannock Beaded Moccasins (#01)
Plains Beadwork $295.00
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The primary colors used were white, red, blue, yellow and green. The Crows would sometime combine up to fourteen shades on one piece. The Santee Dakota (mideastern Plains Sioux), Kiowa and Cheyenne preferred the smallest, faceted seed beads which sparkled in the sun. After the Civil War and passage of the Homestead Act of 1862, settlers poured into the Plains region and native tribes were restricted to reservations. An extremely prolific period accompanied by dramatic design changes commenced, with a variety of clothing and accessory items becoming more intricate and varied in design.
At this time, distinctive regional styles developed as well as specialization due to tribal preferences for certain bead sizes and colour. The Sioux became widely known for their tobacco bags while Crow gun cases were preferred. Floral motifs entered from the eastern Cree and Ojibwa tribes. Blackfoot, Crow, Assiniboin, Gros Ventre and Yanktonia Dakota created more geometric styles. The Cheyenne’s mastery of color, design and technique resulted in their reputation as some of the finest of the Plains bead artists.
The heyday of Plains beadwork occured between 1880 - 1905. Since that time, pipe bags, moccasins, belts and small bags continued to find a market, while many other articles such as saddles, vests, and cradleboards declined sharply. Today, there are few native artists continuing in the Plains beaded tradition. The beadwork we are presenting you today is derived from two separate collections and includes both antique items as well as Cheyenne bags created by artists now deceased. We hope you will enjoy the very personal stories which accompany each of these unique reflections of a bygone day.
Twin Rocks Trading Post · P.O. Box 330 · 913 E. Navajo Twins Dr · Bluff,
UT 84512
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