Strap

Culture: Seminole artist
Culture: Muscogee artist
Date: mid- 19th century
Material: Wool cloth, glass beads, and silk ribbon
made in: United States, North and Central America
Classification: Jewelry & personal accessories, textiles
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 4 1/2 × 49 1/2 in. (11.4 × 125.7 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. A. Linn Bostwick
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 3:1954

NOTES

Distinct geometric patterns repeat across each half of this strap. Worn over a man’s shoulder and across his chest—and once connected to a now-lost pouch—this strap would present an impressive set of designs on the front and back.

The X design with curving ends relates to symbols on ancient Mississippian ceramics. In the 18th century, some inhabitants of Muscogee (Creek) villages in the Southeast, a territory punctuated by ancient Mississippian mounds, moved to Florida and eventually formed the distinct Seminole confederacy.

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