Penobscot cuffs, ca. 1870
Item 23503 info
Hudson Museum, Univ. of Maine
Beadwork
When you are in hunger, take the bow and go forth and kill such animals as you need for food and bring them onto the woman who shall prepare the meat for food, and you shall prepare the skins to cover your bodies and bed.
-- Joseph Nicolar, 1893
Maine Indians decorated clothing made from hides and furs with beads made from shells and other natural materials such as porcupine quills.
When Europeans brought glass beads, needles, thread, ribbons, and cloth as trade items, Native peoples used these materials to decorate men's and women's attire with beadwork and ribbon appliqué.
Item 5 of 17
