160: A FINE PAIR OF CENTRAL PLAINS BEADED POSSIBLE BAGS

The matched pair show all the characteristics of Lakota design, circa 1875.

Each is constructed from Native tanned hide and sinew sewn lane stitch technique glass bead decoration of floating crosses either side of a large geometric device in blue, red and translucent green glass beads.

Each end is decorated in beads and eight pairs of tin cone tinklers with dyed horse hair (one missing). No beading on the back side, or the flap, which is unusual and could suggest an earlier date.


The term Possible Bag is said to have derived from an indigenous word with meaning similar to 'a bag for every possible thing.'

Both are stamped MAGERKURTH in black ink inside, name of the last owner and collector, Frederick Magerkurth of Salina, Kansas, a native Kansan born in Salina known to have worked as a portrait photographer in 1912 in Salina, Kansas. He had four of his photographs exhibited in Paris at the Salon International D'Art Photographique de Paris.'
Each measures 14 x 19 inches.
Good condition, noting one short, vertical strand of beading lost form the center of the bag displayed here on the left and three or four missing from the white beading, along with one lost cone tinkler. Otherwise very good and without other losses, frays, repairs, detectable replacements, hardened areas, odor or other issues aside form minor issues of age and scattered holes from hanging.
$2,000 - $3,000