Antique 19th-century Sioux doctor’s bag, intricately beaded with Venetian glass trade beads, including white-hearts, dark blue, greasy yellow, and blue, along with faceted metal beads, all set against a white field. The beads are sinew-sewn onto native-tanned buffalo hide. Each side of the bag is fully beaded, featuring distinct design elements such as arrow and cross motifs, along with geometric patterns, showcasing. There is a metal clasp and handle original to the piece.
These beaded doctor’s bags were not used in medical practice but were gifted to doctors as a gesture of appreciation for their services.
The Sioux, a nomadic tribe traditionally residing in the Great Plains regions of South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana, are celebrated for their exceptional artistry, particularly in their beadwork which is reflected in this marvelous Doctor’s Bag.
