Beautiful and Unusual Nez Perce Beaded Bag with Velvet Top

This is a very special and unusual bag. It has two six-sided panels of exceptional designs and beadwork which make up the lower half of the bag. The upper half of the bag is soft black velvet. The design on one side is a large elk head with leaves on a stem on each side of the elk's head. Sitting on the branch to the right of the elk is a beautiful red and yellow bird and between the horns are the initials "A.E.S". The other panel has three beautifully executed pansies on stems. The beads used in this bag are the tiny 19th century faceted beads so popular with the Nez Perce. The woman who made this bag had a wonderful sense of color and exceptional talent in drawing and beading. The designs and the workmanship clearly standout. There are few examples of Plateau beaded bags as good as this piece.

Beaded Panel L. 5 ½", W. 7 ¾"; L. including velvet top11 ¾"