This item is 034 from the White Earth Nation Tribal Collections. The record indicates “small beaded coin purse; very fragile; Narrative included: ‘Beaded coin purse, donated by Charles J. Smith, Falcon Heights, Minnesota. This purse was traded to Smith’s mother, Mrs. Doris Smith, in exchange for hospital servies by a lady from Pine Point, MN. Mrs. Doris Smith owned and operated the Park Rapids Hospital during the 1930s-40s. It is during that time that Mrs. Smith acquired the purse, which was in its present condition. The Smith family assumed that this purse had been in use for many years, and estimate that it could be 75-80 years old’.”
Based on the condition of the velvet and beadwork, as well as the narrative, I believe this bag to date from the mid to late 19th century. Beadwork is charlotte cut beads on velvet panels sew onto leather with a drawstring closure; cloth interior. Velvet extremely deteriorated, beadwork mostly intact. Excellent example of ‘reciprocity’ or barter system. Maker unknown.
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