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Crow Beaded Beaver Possibles Bag c. 1890 LARGE

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Crow Beaded Beaver Possibles Bag c. 1890 LARGE
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This is an exceptional very scarce beaded large possibles or bandolier bag from the Crow Native American Indians and dating to the late 19th Century. The third to fourth quarter 19th Century piece shows the construction of a full beaver hide, including the eyes and tail, with excellent authentic period correct glass trade seed beads in chalk white, Cheyenne pink, corn yellow, red, medium green, sky padre blue, faceted iridescent and dark blue. The bage shows 2 5/8 inch wide early green trade clothe top strap that shows a fine beaded design running across the entire surface with mother of pearl buttons at the center of each pattern. The bag's top flap, which gains access to the old green trade clothe backed large bag, is constructed from the top half or head portion of the beaver pelt. The two eye like holes are completely fancy beaded in chalk white and semi-transparent dark blue, a truly unique and artful addition. Below the flap shows the large 7 inch round floral beaded medallion. At the base of the bag is a section of old green trade clothe, the same as the strap and bag rear construction, cut into the shape of a beaver tail (possible upholstering the tail itself but this fact is unknown) with creative and playful fine thin glass trade seed beaded patterns with smaller hand carved mother of pearl buttons. The bag is of a large size and very unusual shape and was most likely used as a gathering bandolier (bandoleer) bag or a possibles (possible) bag with this being the only known example of this Beaver animal effigy shaped bag in existence. This is truly a finely crafted artful bag showing museum quality condition. Provenance: From a Historic Museum collection in Eastern Montana. The piece has been examined by a local expert and found to be a one-of-a-kind authentic period correct 19th Century example and truly rare. Measures overall 21.5"W x 58" H (from top of strap to base of tail). The bag area including the tail is 32" L.