The Henderson Beadwork Collection
American Indian Beadwork
This page was researched and composed by Rachel Steinberg, '13, while she was an undergraduate volunteer in the Anthropology Department.
The majority of the items in this collection are the artistic creations of northern Plains and Great Lakes beadworkers from the 19thand early 20th centuries. As such, they represent an era characterized by tumultuous changes and cultural transitions, not just in these regions but across the continent. The variety, originality, and skill demonstrated by these objects are a testament to the complexity of Native American beadwork throughout history.
The items pictured below give an indication of the collection as a whole. Included with each image is the object’s title, description, material(s) of manufacture, and accession number. Click on any image to launch a full-size version in a new window.
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Broadcloth Blanket/Dance Apron Description: Dark blue and red cloth embroidered with white, black, and yellow beads; part of a legging; possibly Assiniboine, Crow, or Blackfeet ca. 1880-1910. Material(s): Broadcloth, glass beads Accession No.: 79:1:447a Details:
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White Cuffs Description: Geometric patterns of red, black, and green beads on a white beaded background; probably attached to an ordinary shirt on festive occasions; Lakota ca. 1925. Material(s): Buckskin, glass beads Accession No.: 79:1:443 / 79:01:435 Details:
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Jingle Adornment Description: Woman’s hair tie embroidered with geometric patterns of variously colored beads; Great Lakes area ca. late 19th/ early 20th century. Material(s): Velvet, glass beads, brass thimbles, cloth ribbons. Accession No.: 79:1:432Details:
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Dance Apron with Leaf Motif Description: Unique leaf and geometric patterns of variously colored beads; probably part of a man’s shirt, applied like a lapel; Potawatomi of Wisconsin ca. 1885-1920. Material(s): Velvet, glass beads of various sizes. Accession No.: 79:1:426Details:
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White Moccasins Description: Geometric designs of variously colored beads on white beaded background; probably northern Cheyenne ca. 1890-1920. Material(s): Buckskin, glass beads Accession No.: 79:1:433a,bDetails:
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Horse Vest Description: Pastiche of several beadwork items, intricately decorated with horse and human images in various colors; may have been put together as a dramatic costume; Lakota ca. 1900. Material(s): Buckskin, glass beads Accession No.: 79:1:427Details:
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Blue Moccasins Description: Geometric designs of variously colored beads on blue beaded background; probably northern Cheyenne ca. 1890-1910. Material(s): Buckskin, glass beads Accession No.: 79:1:441a,bDetail:
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Flowered Vest Description:Red and green floral beading on front, drawings on back; possibly from the Plateau region ca. 1920-1950 or more recent. Material(s): Buckskin, glass beads, paint/ink?, shell buttons, green satin lining. Accession No.: 67:2:4Details:
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Mountain Cuffs Description: Geometric pattern of blue, black, and yellow beads; probably attached to ordinary shirt on festive occasions;Lakota ca. 1875-1925. Material(s): Buckskin, glass beads Accession No.: 79:1:445Detail:
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