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Bandolier bag

ca. 1879 | Henry Augustus Ward

In North America, materials such as gold, silver, gemstones, shells, or beautiful seeds were originally used as beads. The most important shell beads are called wampum. Woven into ceremonial belts, they were regarded as status symbols, and later also used as exchange currency. Glass beads were put into circulation by European colonial powers. White and blue glass beads from Bohemia enjoyed particular popularity due to their visual similarity with the wampum. Nevertheless, glass beads were never able to completely replace the wampum.

In North America, materials such as gold, silver, gemstones, shells, or beautiful seeds were originally used as beads. The most important shell beads are called wampum. Woven into ceremonial belts, they were regarded as status symbols, and later also used as exchange currency. Glass beads were put into circulation by European colonial powers. White and blue glass beads from Bohemia enjoyed particular popularity due to their visual similarity with the wampum. Nevertheless, glass beads were never able to completely replace the wampum.

Collection:
Henry Augustus Ward (1834 Rochester, NY - 1906 Buffalo, NY) DNB

Time:
ca. 1879

Object Name
Bandolier bag

Culture
Kanada/USA

Material/technology:
Wool, plain weave, flax, glass beads

Copyright
Weltmuseum Wien

Invs.
9177