Unknown Nez Perce Artist
Bag
1900s
Corn husk, yarn, rawhide, wool
17.75” x 13.5”
Denver Art Museum: Gift of Dr. Charles J. Norton, 1986.261

height: 17.75 in, 45.0850 cm; width: 13.5 in, 34.2900 cm

Native Arts

Indigenous Arts of North America

This type of large, flat bags was originally made as storage bags for food and woven of dogbane or Indian hemp—a natural insect deterrent. The broad surface provided a canvas for basketry artists eager to decorate such an open space, and the light tan color of cornhusks made an attractive contrast. Now artists use commercial wool yarn to create even bigger and bolder designs. A notable feature of these bags is the completely different design on each side.

Dr. Charles J. Norton, Denver, CO, before 1986; Denver Art Museum, 1986.