EC354: Chippewa/Ojibwe Men's Beaded Dance Apron ca. 1880-1910

Ethnographic

---

Identifier:

EC354

Classification Category:

3:Personal Artifacts ➞ Clothing ➞ Outerwear ➞ Apron

Marks/Labels:

TAG: "Winnebago Man's suite 1850"

Materials:

fabric ➔ cloth ➔ cotton
fabric ➔ thread
glass ➔ bead

Dimensions:

88.5 cm L
44.5 cm W
Thickness: 0.4 cm

Production Date:

ca. 1880-1910 based on cloth backing analysis according to Dating Fabrics: A Color Guide.

Use/Function:

The dance apron is one part of a variety of layers that can be used in a formal outfit, worn on formal occasions and for ceremonial dances.

Source Locality:

International Falls, Minnesota, USA

Acquisition Date:

1906

Description:

Donated to Luther College in 1906 by Reverend R.O. Evans,
who purchased this apron in International Falls, Minnesota for $15 (equivalent to $245 today).

This appliqued design uses “spot-stitching” to attach imported Czech glass seed beads to a black velveteen fabric. The beads are stitched directly onto the cloth two or three beads at a time.

The two panels are tied together and worn around the waist so that a front and back panel would be visible during a man’s dance. Close inspection of the garment reveals different artists created each panel.

---