Dimensions: 20" x 9" (at the widest) x 5" Age: Unknown Material: Leather, possible whole skin from smaller animal, as bottom back strap connects to what appears to be legs. Adorned with shells and possible trade beads. Has been patch repaired.
Unknown
Thank you for contacting Mearto and I apologize for the delay.
Your item is fairly anomalous; I haven’t seen anything like it before and have tried my best to research what it could be and find similar items for valuation.
Here is what I came up with:
Millefiori Murano Bead - Venetian glass beads like this were made in Italy and used as African trade beads, traditionally.
Brass tube bead - I am not sure what the red etching is; could this be a filed down bullet casing?
White with yellow line cowrie shells -
Monetaria annulus, common name the ring cowrie, ring top cowrie, or gold ring cowrie
Indian ocean, east africa, pacific
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monetaria_annulus
Filigree brass beads - unknown, look East African in design
Shark tooth - signifies proximity to ocean (?)
My best guess is this bag is from Northeast Africa and could have been used as either a medicine bag or possibly an arrow quiver. Below are links to similar items that I could find. Most are Native American and some are African. This is to give you an idea of prices for bags roughly the same in materials and size.
We offer refunds through our terms of use page if you feel my appraisal is not helpful. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Medicine bags:
2 for $180
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/80365287_two-beaded-native-american-shoulder-or-medicine-bags
$700
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7600111_48-blackfoot-calf-medicine-bag
$200
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/44924787_-native-american-medicine-bag
$275
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3232901_113-a-shoshone-or-nez-perce-indian-medicine-bag-from
$250, archery set
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10927171_404-african-pygmy-spear-and-arrow-set