Late 19th - early 20th century

Bandolier Bag

Native Americans of the Great Lakes region started making bandolier bags in the mid-nineteenth century, modeled on those used by soldiers to carry cartridges. The beaded bags were made by women but typically worn by men for ceremonial occasions. Although sometimes used as bags, they were more important as symbols of wealth and status and were highly valued when trading with other tribes. The curvilinear floral designs on this bag are typical of the Ojibwe (Chippewa) tribe-while the veined leaves and assymetrical flowers are beaded to shape, the white background is in straight rows.