Bead Tape
Period1833
MediumGlass beads, cotton and silk threads
Dimensions0.5 × 36 in. (1.3 × 91.4 cm)
ClassificationsJewelry
Credit LineMuseum Collection
Object number1999.569
DescriptionA narrow ribbon of glass beads on silk and cotton warp and weft threads. The tape uses only three colors - translucent white and opaque red and apple green. Motifs including arrows, keys, hearts, feather bands, diamond chain, loop chain, heart, X, and flowers are spaced along the length of the ribbon. The unknown maker included the motto "Forget Me Not" and the date 1833. A name appearing to be "M Hadden" and the initials "MH" are also worked into the tape. The warp ends of the tape are tied together to form a large loop.Curatorial RemarksBead tapes enjoyed a relatively brief period of popularlity, mostly through the 1830s into the early 1840s. Although sometimes classified as Native American work, this particular type of beadwork was created by schoolgirls as part of their curriculum. While Native Americans have a long and colorful history of beadwork, prior to the 1850s most Native American beadwork was done with shell beads known as wampum. It was not until the 1850s and early 1860s that many Native American tribes incorporated glass beads into their crafts. The narrow bead tapes of the 1830s and early 1840s all bear similarities. Many surviving bead tapes were made in New England, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The Association has three woven bead tapes in its collection. Although none are identified as to maker or location, they most likely were made in the Monmouth County area. Tapes, known as "chains" or "neck ribbons," were usually woven on small wooden tape looms, which provided the appropriate tension for the beadworker. The loom frame also kept the long warp threads from tangling. The beads in these tapes came from Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), imported to the United States in great quantities. It is not entirely known as to why these charming and fanciful beaded ribbons enjoyed a relatively brief period of popularity. They are rarely referred to in fashionable publications of the day. Beaded tapes do, however, appear in a number of folk art portraits working in the New England area. Museums including Old Sturbridge Village and the Wadsworth Athenaeum have beaded tapes in their collection. The Association has two other bead tapes also most likely made in the Monmouth County area, one made around 1840 and another dated 1833 (acessions 715 and 2005.534.)NotesThe unknown maker may have included her name "M Hadden" and the initials "MH," or the name may be the receipient of the beaded tape made as a gift. This is a relatively early bead tape example, and includes 1833 as the date of construction. Many surviving bead tapes include religious motifs such as keys representing St. Martha, patron saint of housewives, hearts representing charity. Many beaded tapes include remnants of original fine silk ribbons to tie around the wearer's neck. This one, however, seems never to have had silk ribbons and is instead simply knotted together at the ends of the warp threads.
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