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Wyoming, Northern Arapaho
Bag, about 1880 - 1890, tanned deer hide, glass beads, metal, horsehair, cotton cloth.
Frederick Weygold Collection 1937.68.67

A beaded “possible bag” like this one got its name because it would be used to store every possible thing. These buckskin bags were made in matching pairs and embellished with elaborate beadwork, painting and porcupine quills. Besides being useful for storage these bags were also considered decorative objects and would be hung on lodges and tied on saddles. Plains Native women may have been nomadic but they also took a great deal of pride in furnishing their lodges. These bags are not only useful and easily transported but are also beautifully decorated.