Beaded Change Purse Appraisal

Native American Style Beaded Leather Change Purse

This is a small, semi-circular flap change purse measuring approximately 3 to 4 inches in width. The item is constructed from a tan or light brown leather base, featuring decorative beadwork on the front face. The beadwork is executed in a flat-stitch or appliqué style using glass seed beads. The background is a vibrant turquoise blue, centered with a stylized black Thunderbird motif accented with yellow wings, a red beak, and white chest details. Flanking the Thunderbird are two red and white tipis, and above it are two yellow pipes or gourds extending towards a central red cross. The edging is finished with a looped bead border in the same turquoise color. The pouch is secured with a single brown plastic or metal snap button on a leather flap. The craftsmanship appears to be 20th-century souvenir or trade craft, likely mid-to-late 20th century. The condition is generally good, showing some minor irregularity in the bead tension and slight fraying of the white thread used for the edging. No significant losses of beads are immediately apparent, though the leather shows very light wear along the edges.