Match Case 1909

This Match Case was beaded in 1909 by a Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) artist. Imagine the focus and patience it took to create this intricate design using tiny glass beads. The artist chose a palette of greens, whites, and blues, set against the warm tan of the fabric. Notice how the concentric circles create a sense of depth, while the white beaded form at the top contrasts against the background. I can't help but wonder if these were the colors that surrounded her in nature. The process of beading is methodical and meditative. Each bead is carefully chosen and placed, and the act of creation becomes a form of storytelling, a way of preserving cultural heritage. The imagery and the date become part of the object's visual language. And so this match case becomes more than just a functional object. It embodies skill, memory, and artistic expression.