Details
A DELAWARE BEADED CLOTH SHOULDER BAG
Composed of a square pocket pouch trimmed with blue, pink and green silk ribbon, the upper portion decorated with interlocking triangle motifs, the lower section with a checkerboard pattern in pink, blue, white and translucent red beads, the shoulder strap trimmed with purple silk and beaded with contrasting floral designs divided at the shoulder beaded in pink, white, translucent red and blue, three blue stroud "fingers" extending on the ends, each overlaid with lattice-like beadwork in pink and white and trimmed in purple, blue, green and pink silk ribbon, the entire bag backed with blue linen cloth; in excellent condition
29in. ( 73.7cm.) long
Composed of a square pocket pouch trimmed with blue, pink and green silk ribbon, the upper portion decorated with interlocking triangle motifs, the lower section with a checkerboard pattern in pink, blue, white and translucent red beads, the shoulder strap trimmed with purple silk and beaded with contrasting floral designs divided at the shoulder beaded in pink, white, translucent red and blue, three blue stroud "fingers" extending on the ends, each overlaid with lattice-like beadwork in pink and white and trimmed in purple, blue, green and pink silk ribbon, the entire bag backed with blue linen cloth; in excellent condition
29in. ( 73.7cm.) long
Provenance
Given to Martha K. Underwood (c.1830-1890) by a student at the Indian School, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
The Indian School was founded by Lieutenant Richard H. "Captain" Pratt. Located in an abandoned army barracks, the the first students were men originally imprisoned at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida under the jurisdiction of Lieutenant Pratt. Martha K. Underwood and fellow townspeople of Carlisle tried to ease the assimilation of these men to life in the East by inviting them into their homes. Ms. Underwood was presented with this bag by one of the students presumably in appreciation for her generosity.
The Indian School was founded by Lieutenant Richard H. "Captain" Pratt. Located in an abandoned army barracks, the the first students were men originally imprisoned at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida under the jurisdiction of Lieutenant Pratt. Martha K. Underwood and fellow townspeople of Carlisle tried to ease the assimilation of these men to life in the East by inviting them into their homes. Ms. Underwood was presented with this bag by one of the students presumably in appreciation for her generosity.