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Octopus Bag

Unknown

Possibly Subarctic, Cree

circa 1860

Wool cloth, glass beads, cotton

1991.01.1481

On View

Stitching & Sewing

Also referred to as “fire bags,” Octopus bags derive their name from the eight drops that extend below the pocketed square top. The construction of these bags is believed to go back to the late 1500s and were used for carrying pipes, tinder, tobacco, and powder shot.

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