МАЭ № 2868-20

Material for a woman’s bag

Kodiak Eskimos

19th c.

sinew, straw, woolen thread, cotton thread

length 11 cm, width 9.5 cm, overall length of the material 28 cm

This material for a bag has a “little spruce tree” design just like that found on woven hat No. 536—12 and on ceremonial headdress No. 4104—12. The ethnic origin of this item has not been determined. It is possible that it is an Aleut article. Yu. F. Lisianskii wrote about the materials used in the Kodiak Alutiiq women’s bags: “Everything here is sewn with sinew thread which is so fine and clean that it is as good as the finest twisted silk. The plemenki (small bags—S. K.) or lacings are made with exceptional artistry. Caribou skin, goat hair, and separated stamens are used as decorations only on Kodiak.” (Lisianskii 1947: 186)

Ethnography of America