Cornhusk Bag (front and back)
Cornhusk bags was introduced into the Northwest by the fur traders as early as 1820. They gradually replaced bags created from Indian hemp. Jute twine and cotton string became common in the warp and weft. Handbags were used to accessorize women’s outfit while dancing or going to town. The Nez Perce artisan was resourceful and ready to incorporate new materials into their creations. The bag is plain twining of commercial hemp warp & weft with false embroidery of undyed cornhusk and wool.
Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum), cornhusk (Zea mays). H 28, W 23.5 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 8872