Plateau Cornhusk Bag with Blue and Orange, circa 1900

Antique Plateau cornhusk bag, circa 1900, of a type commonly referred to in the historic art market as a "Nez Perce bag." Handwoven from plant fibers, the rectangular bag features alternating horizontal bands of bold geometric motifs in blue against a natural cream-colored ground.
Narrow bands of orange, brown, and black divide the larger patterned fields and create strong visual contrast. The repeated block-form and stepped designs give the composition a balanced, highly graphic appearance characteristic of Plateau weaving traditions.
Finished with a simple carrying strap, the bag is a fine example of late 19th- to early 20th-century Plateau fiberwork, combining practical function with carefully organized geometric decoration.

Provenance:
David Cook Galleries, Denver, Colorado, 1999
Private Collection, Edwards, Colorado, 2000