glass beads and leather

In the 1870s, Native American artist began adding beadwork to manufactured items used in both Native and non-Native communities. That is the case with these gloves richly embellished with beaded floral designs by an Ojibwe artist. Floral designs in beadwork may have gained traction because the motifs were accessible to Natives and non-Natives. Part of an elaborate Victorian design vocabulary, flowers signified femininity and beauty. Native Americans could adapt this visual vocabulary to signify their connection to nature and to reinforce their cultural identity and beliefs. Entrepreneurial Native artist found an eager market among non-Native settlers and collectors for clothing and housewars decorated with floral designs.

Kathleen Howe, Nuance of Sky: Edgar Heap of Birds Invites Spirit Objects to Join His Art Practice (Claremont: Pomona College Museum of Art, 2013), 10 illustrated/color.

This object has the following keywords:

• Accessories
• Beadwork
• Chippewa
• Flowers

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

• Ways of Seeing/Exhibiting American Indian Art: The Pomona College Collection Montgomery Gallery , 1/19/1994 - 3/20/1994

This object has the following bibliographic references:

• Nuance of Sky. Nuance of Sky Pomona College Museum of Art. Claremont, 2013
  Page Number: 10

This object is a member of the following portfolios: