This pipe bag belonged to Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) chief hinmatóoyalahtq’it (Joseph). The unique aspect of this particular pipe bag is that it was used to carry the tobacco pipe's stem as opposed to most traditional pipe bags that were used to carry the tobacco itself. This pipe bag is made of buckskin and is about two feet in length. There is two inch buckskin fringe along the entire length of one side of the pipe bag, the top end of the pipe bag, and the bottom end of the pipe bag. Additionally, there is detailed beadwork along the same sides of the pipe bag that have fringe. The beadwork consists of square sections of beads of the same color, including yellow, red, navy blue/dark purple, light blue/lilac, and purple, in alternating patterns. Though it is unknown who created this specific pipe bag and when it was made, evidence suggests hinmatóoyalahtq’it (Chief Joseph) carried the associated pipe throughout the Nez Perce War of 1877 and until his death in 1904.
Image 1: This photo showcases the detailed beadwork and fringe at the bottom end of the pipe bag. There are square sections of yellow, light blue/lilac, navy blue/dark purple, and red beads in patterns at the top end of the pipe bag. The navy blue/dark purple colored beads also surround the the top end of the pipe bag where additional buckskin fringe is attached. This photo also shows the beginning of the row of yellow beads and fringe that span one entire side of the pipe bag. It appears the top of the fringe was wrapped in a separate red material or dyed a reddish color and attached with a few light blue/lilac colored beads. The red colored material is fading/wearing off.
Image 2: This photo provides additional zoomed in detail of the beadwork and fringe at the top end of the pipe bag. The top end of the pipe bag is covered in square sections of yellow beads with square sections of light blue/lilac and red beads in an alternating pattern in the middle. There are single rows of the navy blue/dark puple beads in between the square sections of light blue/lilac and red beads. This photo also higlights that each individual row of beads is about seven to eight beads. One can also see the detail of the fringe in this section, especially the purplish/reddish colored material and light blue/lilac colored beads that are attached to the fringe.
Image 3: This photo displays the beadwork and fringe detail at the top end of the pipe bag. The top end of the pipe bag is covered in square sections of yellow beads with square sections of light blue/lilac and red beads in an alternating pattern in the middle. There are single rows of the navy blue/dark puple beads in between the square sections of light blue/lilac and red beads. Also, a row of purple beads adorns the very top of the pipe bag. The photo showcases the row of fringe that is attached at the top of the pipe bag and the side of the pipe bag. These sections of fringe are attached with the same fading purplish and reddish material and light blue/lilac colored beads as the fringe at the bottom of the pipe bag.
Image 4: This photo provides another overview shot of the pipe bag, but showing the opposite side of the pipe bag. The beadwork and fringe follow the same pattern on this side of the pipe bag. This pipe bag is made of buckskin and is about two feet in length. There is two inch buckskin fringe along the entire length of one side of the pipe bag, the top end of the pipe bag, and the bottom end of the pipe bag. Additionally, there is detailed beadwork along the same sides of the pipe bag that have fringe. The beadwork consists of square sections of beads of the same color, including yellow, red, navy blue/dark purple, light blue/lilac, and purple, in alternating patterns.
Image 5: This photo provides an overview of the pipe bag. This pipe bag is made of buckskin and is about two feet in length. There is two inch buckskin fringe along the entire length of one side of the pipe bag, the top end of the pipe bag, and the bottom end of the pipe bag. Additionally, there is detailed beadwork along the same sides of the pipe bag that have fringe. The beadwork consists of square sections of beads of the same color, including yellow, red, navy blue/dark purple, light blue/lilac, and purple, in alternating patterns.
Image 6: This photo displays the opposing side of the top end of the pipe bag. The beadwork and fringe detail follow the same color scheme and patterns as on the other side. One can see the wear over time of some of the beads, but most remain intact.
