One gallery in the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Washington, is dedicated to The Secret Life of an Artifact. This display provides a behind-the-scenes look at the museum collection and the science and creativity that goes in to preserving and interpreting artifacts. One of the displays in this gallery looked at American Indian beadwork.
According to the display:
“The bold geometric design and colorful, eye-catching beadwork decorating these objects build on an earlier indigenous tradition—quillwork.”
According to the display:
“The introduction of glass beads and steel needles to our region’s indigenous cultures allowed them to decorate things like moccasins and women’s bags with bright, colorful designs. Beadwork has become an important means of expression integral to the art of Plateau cultures.”
Shown above is a Plateau man’s beaded vest made in the 1930s. 
Shown above is a Plateau woman’s beaded bag from the early 20th century. 
Shown above is a Plateau woman’s beaded bag from the early 20th century. 
Shown above is a Plateau woman’s beaded bag from the 1930s. 
Shown above is a Plateau woman’s beaded bag from the early 20th century. 
Shown above is a Plateau woman’s beaded hat from the mid-20th century. 
Shown above are a beaded bottle and a beaded flask.
Moccasins
Shown above is the detail of the beadwork. 
The moccasins shown above have both beadwork and quillwork. 
Indians 101
Indians 101 is a series exploring American Indian arts, cultures, museums, histories, biographies, and current concerns.
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