Bible bag

This heavily beaded Bible bag with its floral designs and decorative woollen fringes was made by a Cree woman, most likely from York Factory, during the 1920s. It was perhaps made as a gift for George Fowlie, a devout Church goer, who regularly attended the services held by the Rev. Richard Faries, the Anglican minister at York Factory.

Like all artists, Cree women were keen to experiment with colours and materials. Nonetheless, earlier forms and designs were often preserved. Though this bag has been embroidered with floral designs which became popular in northern Cree communities in the mid nineteenth century, it has retained the structure of earlier shot pouches and other small bags which often were decorated with two rows of loomed porcupine or bird quillwork.

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© Photograph by John McIntosh


© Photograph by John McIntosh