Beadwork
Jennifer Sapiel Neptune, beadworker, basketmaker and herbalist. Jennifer's ancestors have lived on what is now the Penobscot Nation's "Indian Island" for generations. She remembers her grandmother working there to dye ash splints for traditional ash and sweetgrass baskets. Jennifer has a degree in anthropology and a concentration in Native Studies from the University of Maine in Orono.
A larger size bear hide bag with beadwork on the front flap and shoulder strap by Paul St John, Mohawk. It is made in the style of the Iroquois bear clan bags.
A smaller size bear hide bag with a beaded strip in the "Hiawatha Iroquois Confederacy Wampum belt" design. The front of the bag is made of bear hide tanned with fur left on. The back, strap and flap are made of very soft elk hide. A round hand carved bone bead has been used for a closure on the flap.
Very rare MicMac/Mi'kmaq (Canadian Spelling) beaded pouch. Beautiful beadwork designs are very similar on both sides of this piece.
Spectacular bandolier bag by Paul St John, Mohawk. The beadwork designs on this bag are primarily Cree/Ojibwe style, but Paul says some of the leaves have Iroquois influences as do the vines.
Glamorous beaded goose on a Iroquois beaded bag by Paul St John, Mohawk. The bag is of soft rich velveteen, a green so dark it looks black in all but strong light. Paul uses all vintage glass seed beads on this bag. Iroquois style round transparent mauve flowers with solid pink pearl bead centers on transparent green stems with long narrow green leaves.
This is a traditional shoulder bag with a braided strap made of soft brain-tanned deer leather. The front and front flap are made from a vintage red old Hudson Bay blanket, the back is of the same very soft brain- tanned deer hide. The front (and flap) are decorated with traditional Wabanaki beadwork designs. This bag is made by Paul St John, Mohawk craftsman.
This small Apache doll cradleboard comes with a doll laced inside. The "salt and pepper" beadwork at the outer sides of the leather wrapping and on the front edge of the cradleboard's bonnet is done with "salt and pepper" beads - a term used for random multi-color beadwork. This style was used in the 1880-1890's.
Great piece of beadwork - Maliseet beadwork is not very common. This piece with great design and excellent condition is a great find! This has been viewed by some Maliseet elders and one of them said her mother used to make pieces very much like this one. She said it was for holding your brush and comb.