bandolier bag, unrecorded Ojibwe artist

Episode 274 (revised Episode 214) Mar-2010, revised Sep-2012, Robin Bang I’m David Cateforis with another Art Minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. Worn diagonally across the shoulder, bandolier bags were first documented among native cultures of the Great Lakes region during the mid-nineteenth century. Although it has been suggested that they were fashioned after military pouches, they may have evolved from earlier indigenous forms such as small, black buckskin bags decorated with brightly-colored quillwork. The wide strap-style may have been replicated from French baldricks, or sword hangers. Primarily a sign of prestige or honor, bandolier bags are elaborately beaded, using loomed bead work and spot stitched techniques to create curvilinear nature-based motifs. An early-twentieth century bandolier bag in the Spencer collection has a wide shoulder strap, a rectangular pouch with black velvet panels, and beadwork displaying two-toned flowers in red, yellow, blue and pink. Veined leaves and dark blue stems, characteristic of Ojibwe work of this period, twist throughout the main pouch design and over the shoulder strap. This bandolier bag is on view in Bead Heritage, a current Spencer exhibition. With thanks to Robin Bang for her text, from the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.