Apache Double-Sided Beaded Bag – Beautiful and Large

My fascination with Apache beadwork continues with this fine object. It is a large beaded bag with fringe with complex designs on both sides. Of interest is that one side has a large green-white cross and two green crescents, suggesting the influence of the Apache Daagodighá religion, which was influential from 1903-1906. This bag is later, 1920-30, but as Alan Ferg indicated in “Cross-and-Crescent Motifs Among the Western Apache; Part I: Daagodighá,” the symbolism of the religion was influential on Apache designs ever since.

This bag is quite large at 10″ by 7″ with the fringe adding 6″. The other side depicts whirling logs, a white star, and terraced designs with plant motifs. I don’t find any missing beads on either side. 

The Ferg reference is found in American Indian Art magazine, Spring, 1998.