Beadwork Collection

Lawton, Mary, Miss, portrait photograph, 1915. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Lawton, Mary, Miss, portrait photograph, 1915

Miss Lily Elsie, (1886-1962), The Merry Widow. c1930. Creator: Unknown
Miss Lily Elsie, (1886-1962), The Merry Widow". c1930. English actress and singer during the Edwardian era. [Foulsham & Banfield, London]

Peggy Lee, c1961. Creator: Brian Foskett
Peggy Lee, c1961

ALASKA: WOMAN AND BASKETS. A Tlingit Native American woman in Yakutat, Alaska, holding a Haida crest hat and a bag on her lap while seated among baskets made by local villagers. Photographed c1900

Africa, Kenya. Msai Tribal Beads

Significant Lakota indian artifacts, South Dakota, USA

Baby Carrier (tihkinakan), c.1835 (mixed media)
PEM216355 Baby Carrier (tihkinakan), c.1835 (mixed media) by American School, (19th century); h: 79 cm; Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, USA; (add.info.: made from wood, cloth, beads)

The end of the nakosnik of the wife of Stepan Suturov from Nalimka, 1920. Creator: A. G. Vargin
The end of the nakosnik of the wife of Stepan Suturov from Nalimka, 1920. V. I. Surikov Museum of Art in Krasnoiarsk

Jewelry made from beaded ribbon with a cross (Stepan Suturov's wife), Selkups, 1920. Creator: A. G. Vargin
Jewelry made from beaded ribbon with a cross (Stepan Suturov's wife), Selkups, 1920. V. I. Surikov Museum of Art in Krasnoiarsk

Beaded Hairpin in a Woman's Hair, Ust'-Ozernoe, 1927. Creator: Dmitrii Innokent'evich Karatanov
Beaded Hairpin in a Woman's Hair, Ust'-Ozernoe, 1927. Novosibirsk State Museum of Regional History and Folklife

Portrait of a Young Woman as Portia Catonis, 1551-1603. Creators: Santi di Tito, Agnolo Bronzino
Portrait of a Young Woman as Portia Catonis, 1551-1603

Mrs. H.R. Lee, portrait photograph, 1918 Oct. 30. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. H.R. Lee, portrait photograph, 1918 Oct. 30

Mrs. La Barre, portrait photograph, 1918 May 17. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. La Barre, portrait photograph, 1918 May 17

Mme. Edwards, portrait photograph, 1919 May 3. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Madame Edwards, portrait photograph, 1919 May 3

Mrs. H.C. Dodge, portrait photograph, 1917 Nov. 21. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. H.C. Dodge, portrait photograph, 1917 Nov. 21

Saint Nicholas, 1563. Creator: Jacques de Poindre
Saint Nicholas, 1563

Northwest Coast, c.1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Northwest Coast, c.1927. Female portrait

Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Kenowun, Nunivak, 1928

Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Woman's Costume-Cheyenne, 1927

Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Itsipstsinikyi ('Kills-Inside')-Piegan, 1926

Mrs A.J. Zubli-Maschhaupt, 1887. Creator: Pieter de Josselin de Jong
Mrs A.J. Zubli-Maschhaupt, 1887. Portrait of Geertruijda Zubli-Maschhaupt

Niemeyer, Miss, or Mrs. Pfiefer, portrait photograph, not before 1916. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Niemeyer, Miss, or Mrs. Pfiefer, portrait photograph, not before 1916

Mrs. W.H. Van Velck, portrait photograph, 1918 June 15. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. W.H. Van Velck, portrait photograph, 1918 June 15

Miss Marcia Van Dresser, portrait photograph, 1919 Oct. 4. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Miss Marcia Van Dresser, portrait photograph, 1919 Oct. 4. American operatic soprano and actor

Damrosch, Gretchen, Miss, portrait photograph, 1913. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Damrosch, Gretchen, Miss, portrait photograph, 1913

Cornwall, Charles, Mrs. portrait photograph, 1914 Aug. 6. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Cornwall, Charles, Mrs. portrait photograph, 1914 Aug. 6

Cloud, A.T. Mrs. portrait photograph, 1913. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Cloud, A.T. Mrs. portrait photograph, 1913

Claussen, Julia, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916 Mar. 2. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Claussen, Julia, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916 Mar. 2

Christian, Miss, portrait photograph, 1915 May 7. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Christian, Miss, portrait photograph, 1915 May 7

Charles, Lillian, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Charles, Lillian, Miss, portrait photograph, 1916

Bulen, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Dec. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Bulen, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Dec

Brenon, Juliet and Aileen, Misses, portrait photograph, 1912 or 1913. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Brenon, Juliet and Aileen, Misses, portrait photograph, 1912 or 1913

Blair, Sophia, Miss, portrait photograph, 1912 July 5. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Blair, Sophia, Miss, portrait photograph, 1912 July 5

Birmingham, Alma, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Jan. 10. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Birmingham, Alma, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Jan. 10

Biddle, A.J. Drexel, Mrs. portrait photograph, 1916 Nov. 20. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Biddle, A.J. Drexel, Mrs. portrait photograph, 1916 Nov. 20

Bianchi, William, Mrs. portrait photograph, 1915 Dec. or 1916 Jan. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Bianchi, William, Mrs. portrait photograph, 1915 Dec. or 1916 Jan

Mrs. J. Rittenhouse, portrait photograph, 1919 Apr. 11. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. J. Rittenhouse, portrait photograph, 1919 Apr. 11

Miss Flore Revalles, portrait photograph, 1918 Sept. 26. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Revalles, Flore, Miss, portrait photograph, 1918 Sept. 26. Swiss singer, dancer and actress

Mrs. Claudia Smith, portrait photograph, 1918 Sept. 13. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. Claudia Smith, portrait photograph, 1918 Sept. 13

Mrs. Thomas Moore, portrait photograph, 1917 Dec. 13. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. Thomas Moore, portrait photograph, 1917 Dec. 13

Serge, Dancer at Sylvan Theatre, 1917. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Serge, Dancer at Sylvan Theatre, 1917
Serge, Dancer at Sylvan Theatre, 1917

Warren, Gertrude, Miss, or Miss Jackman, portrait photograph, 1912 or 1913. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Warren, Gertrude, Miss, or Miss Jackman, portrait photograph, 1912 or 1913

Walters, L. Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Aug. 19. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Walters, L. Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Aug. 19

Mrs. Stuart Benson, portrait photograph Creator: Arnold Genthe
Mrs. Stuart Benson, portrait photograph, 1924 July 30. Address: 229 E. 48th St. New York City

Young Man in a Pearl-trimmed Cap, 1650-1659. Creator: Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
Young Man in a Pearl-trimmed Cap, 1650-1659

Mikhail Fyodorovitch (1613-45), Russian Tsar; Equestrian figure, 1650-1700. Creator: Unknown
Mikhail Fyodorovitch (1613-45), Russian Tsar; Equestrian figure, 1650-1700

Morganthau, Ruth, portrait photograph, 1912 Nov. 20. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Morganthau, Ruth, portrait photograph, 1912 Nov. 20

McIntosh, R.L. Miss, portrait photograph, 1915. Creator: Arnold Genthe
McIntosh, R.L. Miss, portrait photograph, 1915

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"Beadwork: A Tapestry of Cultural Expressions" Beadwork has long been a cherished art form, weaving together stories and traditions from diverse corners of the world. From the delicate beauty of Miss Lily Elsie's beaded gown in "The Merry Widow" to Peggy Lee's glamorous ensemble adorned with shimmering beads, this craft has graced both stage and screen. But beadwork is not confined to the realms of entertainment; it holds deep significance for indigenous communities as well. In Yakutat, Alaska, a Tlingit Native American woman skillfully crafts baskets adorned with intricate bead patterns, preserving her cultural heritage for generations to come. Similarly, in Kenya, Maasai tribal beads serve as symbols of identity and status within their community. Traveling further across Africa reveals more stunning this ancient art form. The Cheyenne chief Two Moons proudly displays his regalia embellished with meticulously crafted beadwork captured by Edward S. Curtis' lens. In South Dakota, significant Lakota Indian artifacts showcase the mastery behind each bead-studded piece. Even in fashion history, beadwork leaves an indelible mark. Mme. Uoll Gross' 1885 ensemble stands as a testament to the timeless elegance that can be achieved through skilled hands and meticulous attention to detail. Beyond its aesthetic allure lies the power to connect people across continents and cultures. A photographic postcard captures Masai women from Kenya donning vibrant beaded jewelry - a visual representation of unity amidst diversity. In Zulu tradition, maidens proudly display their scarification marks alongside traditional beadwork - an embodiment of cultural pride passed down through generations. From Tripoli's Suk el Turk market in Libya to villages near Arusha where Maasai women wear their ancestral jewelry with grace - these glimpses into different corners of our world remind us that while techniques may vary, the universal language spoken by beads transcends borders. Beadwork is more than just an art form.