Whimsey in the form of a purse 1913

This beaded purse, by an anonymous Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) artist, was made around 1913, give or take, with glass beads and fabric. Look at the way the beads, like little commas of color, form the date "1913" and some stylized floral motifs on the pink fabric. It's like drawing with beads! There's such a tactile quality to this piece; you can almost feel the individual beads under your fingertips. The texture, color, and physicality of the medium really shape our emotional experience. This little purse isn’t just an object; it's a record of someone's time, skill, and maybe even their sense of humor. Think of all the hours spent carefully placing each bead, the maker's hands moving with precision and care. The Haudenosaunee are known for their intricate beadwork, and this purse fits right into that tradition. It reminds me a bit of Joyce Kozloff's pattern and decoration works. Both embrace ornamentation and challenge traditional notions of art, embracing ambiguity and inviting multiple interpretations.