The majority of pieces of Iroquois beadwork (sometimes called whimsies) were sold as souvenirs. As souvenirs they were taken home and today they are appearing on eBay from all over the United States, Canada, Germay, France, and the United Kingdom where about half of them are misidentified because the sellers don’t know what they are. Often they are not recognized as Indian at all and are identified, merely, as Victorian.

Although a few dates appear on Seneca purses from the 1830s and on other pieces from the 1870s, beaded dates on souvenir pieces were not common until the 1890s. Dates appear on canoes and horseshoes in the Niagara area as early as 1892 and are common under the tails of Mohawk birds by 1897. Late 1890s dates often appear on pincushions beaded with the name SARATOGA. These pieces have been attributed to Oneida or Abenaki beadworkers. From 1900 to 1930 dates are common on Mohawk pieces and are most frequent around 1906.

Probably the majority of the pieces of beadwork were sold at public events and tourist attractions, but some were sold at train stations, and even door to door. The most popular places beaded on pincushions are NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK STATE FAIR, MONTREAL, and TORONTO EXHIBITION. The most popular beaded phrase is GOOD LUCK, which appears on horseshoes. FAST BOAT on canoes is also common.

Often Indian families and women’s groups worked all winter to make a big supply of beadwork for summer sales. Some people remember their mothers filling whole trunks of beadwork made during the winter. Often the kids were given jobs such as putting on the words or stuffing the pincushions.

Pincushions, picture frames, match holders, and whiskbroom holders were both useful and beautiful. A piece of colorful beadwork hanging on a wall can be both decorative and functional. The flamboyant and often gaudy color combinations appealed to the Victorian taste. But, because they were used, many pieces are in poor condition today. Often the fabric is torn or moth eaten and beads have come off. The most common damage is the loss of the bottom loops because the threads are cut by the sharp edges of the tubular cut glass beads.

However, souvenir pieces that were brought home from trips and carefully wrapped up and stored can be found in old trunks and cedar chests. These treasured souvenirs, still pristine, are sparkling prizes today.