Antique Native American Indian Beaded Iroquois Mohawk Whimsy Beadwork Box

We are delighted to have discovered for you this rare Victorian beadwork on velvet box. This beautiful, whimsical box was made by a member of the Native American Indian Mohawk/ Iroquois nations from the upstate New York region and south east Canada during the last quarter of the 1800s. We adore indigenous Indian crafts and skills - a fascinating and very proud culture of thousands of years old.

The techniques were passed down through generations. The designs found on these souvenirs often telling us which tribe made the item. Each surviving piece carries with it an echo of the maker and those times, it is touching the past.

The rarity here is the depiction of a cat and a mouse. This depiction shows how the makers adapted to the tastes of the European tourist.

This casket style box has a flap lid with the beadwork word'BOX' spelled out, just in case you were unsure of its purpose. The front face features a cute little mouse, the rear face features a chunky little tabby cat. Both sides feature the more traditional flower design.

Lined in its original green glazed cotton. This is a stunning little survivor for the antique textile, or antique folk art collector.

Size: 5 inch high by 7 inch wide by 5 inch deep (13 cm by 17 cm by 13 cm) Condition: The background cotton velvet has faded from a once red to a pale terracotta/brown shade. Very minor bead loss to mouse foot. Shape a little squished, therfore we have the box padded with tissue to retain its shape.

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