The collection of Indian artifacts displayed in the Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum in Chelan, Washington includes several examples of American Indian beadwork.
While the town of Chelan is named after the Chelan Indians, a Salish-speaking Plateau group, many of the items in this collection are from other areas and are often displayed in the style of the old cabinets of curiosities.
The use of glass beads is, of course, a relatively recent innovation having been introduced by the fur trade during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Often beading replaced and/or supplemented the older quill and painted designs. With the Christian missionaries, boarding schools, and reservations, floral designs, pleasing to Euroamerican eyes, started to become more common.,
Shown above is a handbag from the Wascopams tribe in Oregon.
Shown above is a heart necklace from the Blackfoot tribe in Montana.
Shown above is a cradleboard with a leather doll made in 1870.
Shown above is a cradleboard. This was made about 1890.
Shown above is a Yakama beaded bag.
Shown above is a beaded purse.
Shown above is a beaded decorative cloth.
Shown above are beaded items for dolls.
Beaded gloves
Beaded Moccasins
Child’s moccasins made in 1901. Tygh Valley, Oregon.
Indians 101
Twice each week—on Tuesdays and Thursdays—this series presents American Indian topics. More from this series—
Indians 101: Columbia River Beadwork (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Plateau Beadwork (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Ktunaxa Beadwork (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Some Plateau Beaded Bags (Art Diary)
Indians 101: A Display of American Indian Beadwork (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Oregon Coast Indian Beadwork and Other Artifacts (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Anishinaabe Beadwork (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: More Plateau Beadwork (Photo Diary)
