FOLLOW ALONG AND LEARN MORE FROM THE WABANAKI PANELS

1969.386.1

Beads have been used throughout the centuries as religious talismans, aids to prayer, and for trade or coinage.  But it was the Indigenous people of the New World who made beads a form of art. 

The Indigenous groups of North America were masters of beadwork long before the Europeans arrived.  Clothing and other articles were decorated with beads.  Indigenous peoples made their beads from shell, bone, stone, clay, and metal, and even dyed hollow porcupine quills for decoration.

Glass beads were unknown until they were introduced by the Spanish conquistadors.  The most popular of the European made beads among the Indian tribes was the seed bead; so called because of their tiny size.  With the introduction of the seed bead, the Indigenous  craftworkers obtained new heights of artistry, producing with skill and imagination a remarkable flowering in the decorative arts that continued until recently.

Although the seed bead was used throughout North America, the masters of the craft remained in the Eastern Woodlands, the Great Lakes area, and the Plains.  The women were the skilled craftsmen of beadwork.  They employed two techniques in creating their craft.  These involved either sewing the beads to cloth or leather backings or weaving so that the entire fabric was made simple of beads and the weaving threads.

1969.432.1

FIshing Trap branches tied together with wire. Funnel-like opening in bottom, sharpened sticks forming the opening of the funnel. Small door, 5.5" x 6", in upper part of trap on wire hinges.

1969.421.1

Brown wooden rods joined by braided string

1984-46-4

1969.2996.1

1969.19.17

1973.18.6

Basket Kindling reinforced frame on four legs, carrying handle, and decorated with etchings of animals and people in everyday scenes

69.386.119

1972.3.2

1969.427.1

1984-46-4

1969.2029.1

1969.97.1

C1969.102.1

1969.368.4

1969.368.5

1969.370.1

1969.394.1

1969.397.1

1969.414.1

1969.2039.1

1969.93.1

1969.55.13

1969.2032.1

1969.2036.1

1969.13.26

1969.2035.1

1969.231.1

1969.N.18.3

1969.417.1

1976.14.5

1982.313.(c)