Mirror Case

Apsaalooka women created beautifully adorned objects that were used by men. Basic Apsaalooka design elements include the hourglass shape, which is often outlined by a single row of white beads. This simple line of beads has a significant visual effect of separating the foreground and background designs. This technique, combined with typical Apsaalooka color palette of pink, light blue and green, makes the decorated surface designs radiate. Many Plains tribes, including the Apsaalooka, added long leather fringe to large bags. The fringe's movement attracts attention to the object and provides contrast and balance found in the beaded designs that adorn the central body of the bag. Colored thread or wool was added at the top of the fringe near the beaded design, providing a visual transition from the bag's colorful main panel to the neutral shade of the fringe.