Featured Beaded bag

Once again I appeal to you all for advice regarding origin and age.

There's a small hole in this wool fabric bag, which measures about 9" x 12". The liner is a cotton print fabric.

Thanks as always.

(Price was 50% off, so $30. That's not nothing, but I'm thinking this is still worth more.)

 

It looks Cree or Athabaskan (interior Canada) to me, perhaps late 19th century. @komokwa will say more.

A similar, but fancier, bag:

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/222806

 

Perhaps 19th C... that'd be great!

 

Here's a larger of what @2manybooks posted:

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The stitching style looks like the same.

The discoloration on mine, around the beaded areas, is dust or debris, as it can be brushed away.

 

I'm thinking the design...flowers ect...is more Ojibwa......and maybe a little later ...like early 1900's.....

 

It's beautiful. Someone could do a fairly easy repair on that. Looks like all the beads are there.

 

Yes, it could be skillfully patched.

Debora

 

Yes-- the hole is in the wool velvet only. Moth damage from some time in the past?

 

Hi @Potteryplease

Love the piece! I agree with the dating and origin.
I also agree that it could be cleaned... and repaired.

It seems many repairs to vintage and antique items, should be made with the thought process... that what you did to repair it, SHOULD be able to be reversed... that said:

I hate to suggest sticky tape rollers as that might be too sticky and dislodge the beadwork. Maybe some gentle brushing with a child's (water damp - not wet) toothbrush (especially on the gritty beadwork)?

Or perhaps a shot of air (from the backside!!!!) like from a compressed computer air canister, which could blow out the crud, dust and hair between the beadwork?

As for the mend. It looks like the hole is almost a "burn hole"? If it isn't going to fray more - and it was just for myself; I think actually I'd leave it as is. Perhaps only tack a patch to the lining fabric. Tacking it to the lining instead of the black fabric...as I think it may be less obvious than trying to sew a patch behind the hole or darning it. If it is just going to be displayed flat... I think it might just look more like a spot or a shadow than an mend. The trick will be finding some appropriate color fabric. I wouldn't suggest bonding it; as that can't be reversed.

It is good that the lining seems to have pulled away - giving you some access.

If the wool fabric is quite sound - not suffering of dry rot... if you really want to "fill" the hole - and you are really patient - darning might be possible with the appropriate color fine yarn. Or, it may be possible to actually apply a patch to the back side of the black fabric. However, chances are good that there will be a certain amount of puckering which may make the hole more obvious rather than less obvious or worse yet, causing more fraying.

Ok, nuff said: that's my 2 cents.
Perhaps some one else has some better ideas...

Cheerio,
Leslie

 

Thank you for the thoughtful advice. My first thought was also a same-colored piece behind the hole, to just block the hole visually. It may not even need to be physically attached, as small piece of black felt will probably just stay in position on its own.

As for cleaning the dust etc, I will try a very light paint brush around the beads, but may just leave as is, if it feels too delicate.

Again-thank you so much!

 

There are several sets of instructions and demo videos online about repairing holes in felt using a hand carder and adding wool fibers on the back. Concern would be whether the surrounding fibers are strong enough (and the fabric thick enough) to support a repair. If the hole was caused by a burn or impact it probably would be, but if the hole was caused by encroaching weakness the whole piece could start to fall apart.

My real concern is the effect that the hole is about to have on the adjacent beading. Once the fabric supporting the bead stitching fails the beading will start to loose definition. Some light weight iron on interfacing on the back would support the beading.

Both of these repair approaches would likely be irreversible, as even a removable interfacing is likely to cause damage if removed from a fabric in this condition, so I would get some professional advice as to value and acceptable repairs first.

If you want to frame the item for display, I would just slip a patch of matching fabric or paper through the hole and flatten it out - no need to actually attach it. A few "invisible stitches" through the backing done carefully enough to be pulled out later might be the best way to stabilize that outside row of blue beads next to the hole.

Lovely item - good luck with it!

 

you beat me to it - cheers

 

Thank you for the advice here. I love the attention and care you and everyone suggest, and will bear it in mind.

This piece feels more and more like a rare-ish find. If 100+ years old, and a good example of skillful craftwork, I'm more and more excited about having found it.

 

I agree-looks like my Ojibwa pillows! Beauty!

 

LOVE the VEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

i'd wear it if it were mine !

 

Agree with above ideas to just carefully (carefully!) tuck a swatch of black fabric in the hole... no permanent attachment needed.

If it was mine I would also love it even more hearing this likely history. Good eye picking it up, Potteryplease!

Cheers to folks on the forum who where able to help ID this.

 

Yes, agree! Thank you everyone.