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Four views of the exhibit
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Boot-shaped Pincushions
Boot-shaped pincushions are among the
most elaborately beaded forms of Iroquois
beadwork. These boots were probably made
between 1895 and 1905 by Mohawk
beadworkers on the Kahnawake Reserve.
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Twentieth Century Boots
20th Century boot-shaped pincushions are
simpler than those made about 1900. These
were probably made between 1930 and 1960.
Those with NIAGARA FALLS or STATE FAIR
captions were made on the Tuscarora
Reservation in the Niagara area of
western New York State. The five boots in
the center were probably made at
Kahnawake.
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Clear Beads
These elegant pincushions, needlecases,
and wall pockets were made in western New
York. All, but perhaps the red pincushion
in the center, are from the Tuscarora
Reservation near Niagara Falls.
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Whiskbroom Holders
Whiskbroom holders were made by Mohawk
beadworkers beginning in the 1890's.
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Match Holders
Match holders, like whiskbroom holders,
were created by Mohawk beadworkers in the
1890's. Like whiskbroom holders they
were frequented dated.
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Gold and Amber Pieces
Gold and amber beads were used
extensively by the Mohawk beadworkers
around 1900.
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Strawberries
Strawberries, the Head of the Medicine
Plants, are often featured on Iroquois
beadwork.
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Animals
Pigs, elephants, cats, and dogs were
animal images that were sometimes beaded
on beadwork pieces.
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Words
Words are often beaded on beadwork in
uppercase letters. They often label the
function of the piece or where it was
meant to be sold.
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Tuscarora Dolls
These Tuscarora dolls were made by Mary
Annette Clause who was reunited with them
when she visited the 2009 exhibition.
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Oneida Dolls
Mary Prescott, Oneida, made these dolls
representing medicine plant gathering.
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Purple Pincusions
Purple velvet was a favorite fabric on
the face of pincushions on both Tuscarora
and Mohawk work.
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Purple Pincusions
The most common form of Iroquois
pincushions is the rectangular pincushion
that features beaded birds on a magenta
purple fabric background. These Mohawk
cushions are framed by leaves made of
red, green, blue, yellow, and clear
beads. They date from the 1870's
until the early 20th century.
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