Lot Essay
The following comments regarding this pipe bag wre written by David Wooley:
The extant cultural objects made by this group of Indians are exceedingly rare. Among the rarest of Prairie objects are pipe/tobacco bags. Extensive research has identified only 30 such bags, the vast majority of which are known from vintage photographs of tribal members holding such bags. Furthermore, only three other actual specimens are known to be in private collections. Prairie pipe/tobacco bags are known to have been made by only four tribal groups, including the Sauk, Mesquakie, Otoe/Missouria, and Potawatomi. These classic Prairie tribe bags undoubtedly have prehistoric or protohistoric prototypes, such as small complete mammal skins.
The variation among pipe/tobacco bags from each of the four Prairie tribes is often significant enough to determine tribal origin. This particular example is undoubtedly of Sauk origin, dating circa 1860. The few Sauk specimens known are uniquely distinguished from bags of the other three tribes. Mesquakie pipe/tobacco bags, for example, generally have solid geometric panels of beadwork rather than curvilinear designs. Potawatomi pipe/tobacco bags incorporate curvilinear beadwork but with solidly beaded backgrounds. And, Ote/Missouria pipe/tobacco bags are of two piece rather than one piece construction. Other less obvious distinguishing features of Sauk decoration include the color choices and method and technique of filling in the beadwork designs.
The extant cultural objects made by this group of Indians are exceedingly rare. Among the rarest of Prairie objects are pipe/tobacco bags. Extensive research has identified only 30 such bags, the vast majority of which are known from vintage photographs of tribal members holding such bags. Furthermore, only three other actual specimens are known to be in private collections. Prairie pipe/tobacco bags are known to have been made by only four tribal groups, including the Sauk, Mesquakie, Otoe/Missouria, and Potawatomi. These classic Prairie tribe bags undoubtedly have prehistoric or protohistoric prototypes, such as small complete mammal skins.
The variation among pipe/tobacco bags from each of the four Prairie tribes is often significant enough to determine tribal origin. This particular example is undoubtedly of Sauk origin, dating circa 1860. The few Sauk specimens known are uniquely distinguished from bags of the other three tribes. Mesquakie pipe/tobacco bags, for example, generally have solid geometric panels of beadwork rather than curvilinear designs. Potawatomi pipe/tobacco bags incorporate curvilinear beadwork but with solidly beaded backgrounds. And, Ote/Missouria pipe/tobacco bags are of two piece rather than one piece construction. Other less obvious distinguishing features of Sauk decoration include the color choices and method and technique of filling in the beadwork designs.