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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
A CREEK BEADED CLOTH BANDOLIER BAG
Details
A CREEK BEADED CLOTH BANDOLIER BAG
composed of a narrow shoulder strap made from indigo blue wool trade cloth, finely stitched with tiny glass seed beads in clear, white, butterscotch, translucent red and blue, decorated along one side with a column of concentric chevron motifs flanked on either side by a linear pattern of trefoil motifs, changing at the shoulder to a zigzag band with extending hooked branches, backed with printed calico cloth and edged with red silk binding tape, each end bifurcated and secured to the pocketed pouch suspended below, constructed from black velvet and decorated with alternating bands of zigzag and cross motifs, the bilateral design continuing on the triangular overflap with curvilinear, rectangular and cross elements, lined with printed muslin, old paper tag pinned to the interior, with ink inscription, this bag is made by old Indian Chief Niah Mathla - Near Columbus, Ohio, 1835
Length: 28½ in. (72.4 cm.)
composed of a narrow shoulder strap made from indigo blue wool trade cloth, finely stitched with tiny glass seed beads in clear, white, butterscotch, translucent red and blue, decorated along one side with a column of concentric chevron motifs flanked on either side by a linear pattern of trefoil motifs, changing at the shoulder to a zigzag band with extending hooked branches, backed with printed calico cloth and edged with red silk binding tape, each end bifurcated and secured to the pocketed pouch suspended below, constructed from black velvet and decorated with alternating bands of zigzag and cross motifs, the bilateral design continuing on the triangular overflap with curvilinear, rectangular and cross elements, lined with printed muslin, old paper tag pinned to the interior, with ink inscription, this bag is made by old Indian Chief Niah Mathla - Near Columbus, Ohio, 1835
Length: 28½ in. (72.4 cm.)
Further details
A unique and intricately abstract style of seed bead embroidery emerged in the American Southeast during the early decades of the nineteenth century, decorating the shoulder bags of Creek, Seminole, and Cherokee Indians. Ancient regional traditions continued in some of the curvilinear patterns, but as a whole this spot-stitch beadwork represents the innovative creativity of exceptionally talented women in a period of hardship and dramatic culture change. In shape and decoration, this particular shoulder bag is characteristic of the Creek style of the 1830s. The pouch is made of black velvet and blue wool trade cloth, trimmed with red ribbon, and lined with printed calico.
According to the old label attached to this bag, it was "made by" Neamathla near Columbus, Ohio, in 1835. Since women virtually always made these bags, it is probable that the bag was made for and owned by Neamathla, who was a Creek chief, active in the War of 1812 and subsequent border warfare. His settlement on Flint River, Georgia, was attacked and destroyed in 1816-17, after which Neamathla joined the Seminoles in Florida. Governor William P. Duval of Florida spoke of him as a man of uncommon ability and as an orator with great influence among his people. This favorable opinion was stated when Neamathla was one of the signers of a treaty in 1823, by which a large part of Florida was ceded to the United States. Shortly after, he shocked the government by refusing the building of a school for Indian children, and by resisting the removal of the Indians to the West. When Duval deposed Neamathla as chief, he returned to the Creek Nation where he became an influential member of the tribal council. As part of a Creek delegation, Neamathla visited Washington, D. C. in 1826, where Charles Bird King painted his portrait, reproduced in Thomas L. McKenney & James Hall, "The History of The Indian Tribes of North America" (1854). As this shoulder bag was apparently acquired from Neamathla while in Ohio, 1835, the chief may have been among the thousands of Southeastern Indian exiles on the "Trail of Tears" at that time.
Ted J. Brasser
November 22, 2004
According to the old label attached to this bag, it was "made by" Neamathla near Columbus, Ohio, in 1835. Since women virtually always made these bags, it is probable that the bag was made for and owned by Neamathla, who was a Creek chief, active in the War of 1812 and subsequent border warfare. His settlement on Flint River, Georgia, was attacked and destroyed in 1816-17, after which Neamathla joined the Seminoles in Florida. Governor William P. Duval of Florida spoke of him as a man of uncommon ability and as an orator with great influence among his people. This favorable opinion was stated when Neamathla was one of the signers of a treaty in 1823, by which a large part of Florida was ceded to the United States. Shortly after, he shocked the government by refusing the building of a school for Indian children, and by resisting the removal of the Indians to the West. When Duval deposed Neamathla as chief, he returned to the Creek Nation where he became an influential member of the tribal council. As part of a Creek delegation, Neamathla visited Washington, D. C. in 1826, where Charles Bird King painted his portrait, reproduced in Thomas L. McKenney & James Hall, "The History of The Indian Tribes of North America" (1854). As this shoulder bag was apparently acquired from Neamathla while in Ohio, 1835, the chief may have been among the thousands of Southeastern Indian exiles on the "Trail of Tears" at that time.
Ted J. Brasser
November 22, 2004