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Page 14 The Antique Shoppe November, 2018
“SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE” and added to certain areas of the design, creating a
layered, three-dimensional effect.
During beadwork’s Victorian heyday, objects
Design Trends of the Mid-20th Century and themes were chosen that would appeal to the
buying public, cozy remembrances just right for
By Donald-Brian Johnson the boudoir. Among the earliest were pincushions.
Flowers, birds, and friendly forest creatures were
This Month’s Feature— “Beaded Beauty: favored visuals. Pincushion “fill” included sweet
grass, sawdust, cotton, and even cattail fluff. For the
Souvenir Iroquois Beadwork from Niagara Falls” stylish lady of the 1800s, extra-large pincushions
were created to accommodate massive hat pins.
Over the centuries, pincushions have accounted for
You’ve made it to “the honeymoon capital of the existent in Iroquois interpretations. White thread is roughly half of Iroquois beaded items.
world”. You’ve donned a floor-length rain slicker. often used, adding to the sparkle of the glass beads, However, a wide variety of other beaded objects
You’ve boarded the “Maid of the Mist” tour boat with metallic sequins accenting single beads. Bead also awaited: purses; picture frames; wall pockets;
and gotten drenched by 3,160 tons-per-second color choices remain fairly uniform within a specific needle cases; match safes; clamshell needle cases;
torrents of gushing water. design, although a “rogue” bead can often be spotted. calling card cases; holders for pocket watches,
Now, what to bring back as a souvenir of your Speculation has it that the bead-of-a-different-color scissors, eyeglasses, and mail; and hanging urns.
day at Niagara Falls? is the “signature” of an otherwise uncredited bead “Whimsies” were fanciful beaded
The earliest souvenirs of the Falls were chunks worker. pieces with no object other than
of “spar”, taken from the riverbed A defining characteristic of Iroquois beadwork, to provide visual pleasure.
of the Niagara, and peddled particularly that of the Tuscarora, is “raised” Among the many:
as “petrified mist”. beading. Instead of using just enough beads to horseshoes, with the
For the less gullible, fill out a pattern, additional beads are strung beaded slogan “Good
there were more Luck”; papoose dolls;
traditional mementos canoes; and hanging
featuring images birds, the beaded date
of the Falls: scenic hidden under their tails.
postcards, chinaware, In the 200-plus years of
snow globes, souvenir Iroquois beadwork,
paperweights, and it’s estimated that over 200,000
tiny, barrel-shaped pieces have been
‘peephole’ viewers. Pincushion with heavily beaded created, many
But at the very depictions of three forest animals. during the peak
top of the list Box purse, with elegantly detailed The single white bead at top right may years of 1890-1920.
were keepsakes depiction of a rose. 4” h. x 5” w. be the “signature” of the otherwise The Seneca and
that put all those $45-65 uncredited artisan. 12” h. x 11” w. Tuscarora centered
m a ss- p r o d u c e d $150-175. their sales efforts
knickknacks to shame: the primarily close to
hand-crafted beadwork Niagara Falls, where “the buyers came
creations of the Iroquois. to the beaders”. The Mohawk,
It seems only natural their reservation located
that the Iroquois would near Montreal, ventured
contribute to the heritage of further, traveling with fairs,
Niagara Falls. They were, Hot pink picture frame, a color choice wild west shows, and
after all, familiar with its characteristic of Mohawk beadwork, dated medicine shows. That’s
might and beauty long 1908. 7” h. x 5” w. $25-45. why authentic examples of
before settlers and sightseers Iroquois beadwork can also
arrived. Six Nations be found far from the Falls.
comprise the Iroquois And here’s good news
confederation: the Mohawk, for today’s explorers,
Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, heading to Niagara Falls,
Seneca, and Tuscarora. The donning rain slickers,
greatest beadwork output, and boarding the “Maid of
however, and the most the Mist”: Iroquois beaders are
readily identifiable pieces, still hard at work, fashioning new
are credited to the Seneca, creations using the same techniques
Tuscarora, and Mohawk. and artistry perfected by their
Iroquois beadwork can Black “slipper” wall pocket. ancestors. The ideal souvenir
be distinguished from that 7” h. $40-60. of your present-day “day at
of other Native American the Falls” remains within
artisans, in both construction Papoose whimsy. 5” h. reach!
and use of materials. To shape the beaded item, $45-65.
fabric is stretched or glued over cardboard (or, in
the case of a soft-sided piece, such as a purse, over Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann.
a cloth lining). Glass seed beads (which increased in Iroquois Beadwork courtesy of Rickie Engel, Maureen Maher, and
size over the years), are then sewn directly through Susan Phillips
the fabric and backing, to create the intended design. Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous books on
The use of leather, bone, or shell, while common Colorful flowers on black wall pocket design and collectibles, including “Postwar Pop”, a collection of
his columns. Please address inquiries to: donaldbrian@msn.com
in other Native American beadwork, is nearly non- intended for mail. 9” h. $150-175.