Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Native American Beaded Watch Fob with Crossed Flags, ca 1915-1920

About the Item

NATIVE AMERICAN BEADED WATCH FOB WITH A STYLIZED FEDERAL EAGLE & SHIELD AND CROSSED AMERICAN FLAGS, circa 1915-1920’s Native American beaded pocket watch fob with a silver ground, on which appears a stylized, wedge-shaped device that combines a federal eagle & shield, in red, white, and blue, resting in the vortex created by crossed American flags. Flanking above and below are geometric borders and decoration that incorporate gold, copper-orange, and seafoam teal. All of the above are microbeads. Watch fobs like this were Indian-made for the tourist trade and patriotic styles were produced for an audience of Civil War veterans. While it could be that the flag’s 18 stars and 9 stripes send a Southern-Exclusionary message, it is more likely that their count bears no particular meaning, and is rather simply a decorative representation of patriotic symbols. There is a brass clasp at the top, affixed with a fabric-covered ring. Watch fobs were worn on a pocket watch like a modern key fob might be attached to keys, except in this case became a fanciful clothing accessory that would be draped outside the pocket of a coat or vest. Mounting: The fob has been hand-stitched to its background of 100% cotton twill, black in color. The two-part frame consists of a black, shadowbox style molded the convex face and a textured surface, 2 which a gilded, ripple profile molding was added as a liner. The glazing is U.V. protective acrylic (Plexiglas). Condition: Excellent Frame - 10.25" x 6", Fob - 5.75" x 1.5"
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.25 in (26.04 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Beads
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1910-1919
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1915-1920
  • Condition:
    See Item Description.
  • Seller Location:
    York County, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: pat-7881stDibs: LU849742422452

More From This Seller

View All
13 Star Antique American Flag , Ca 1890-1899
Located in York County, PA
13 STARS WITH SHORT, CONICAL ARMS ON A SMALL SCALE, ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG MADE DURING THE LAST DECADE F THE 19TH CENTURY; POSSIBLY OF PHILADELPHIA ORIGIN; FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION ...
Category

Antique 1890s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

13 Star Antique American Flag with a Narrow Star Presentation, ca 1876
Located in York County, PA
13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH HAND-SEWN STARS IN AN EXTREMELY NARROW PRESENTATION OF A 3-2-3-2-3 ARRANGEMENT ON A CANTON THAT DOESN’T FOLLOW SUIT, LEAVING WIDE EXPANSES OF BLUE ...
Category

Antique 1870s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool

34 Star Antique American Flag with Hourglass Medallion Stars, ca 1861-1863
Located in York County, PA
EXTRAORDINARY 34 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH AN ACCORDION OR HOURGLASS MEDALLION CONFIGURATION THAT SURROUNDS A PENTAGON OF STARS IN THE CENTER; MADE OF FINE SILK AND ENTIRELY HAND-SEWN; MADE DURING THE OPENING YEARS OF THE CIVIL WAR (1861-63), IN A TINY SIZE AMONG ITS COUNTERPARTS OF THE PERIOD; REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF KANSAS AS THE 34TH STATE 34 star flag of the Civil War period with an array of rare, beautiful, and otherwise desirable features. Extremely small among flags of this period with pieced and sewn construction, the flag displays a star pattern that is not only highly unusual, but unique to this particular example. This consists of a single star in the very center, surrounded by a pentagon of stars, flanked by angular bracket of three stars to either side. Above and below are rows of 5 stars, followed by rows of 6 that line the top and bottom of the canton. The resulting configuration is what I have termed an “accordion medallion,” though “hourglass medallion” or “standing bow tie” would be perfectly acceptable. When rotated 90 degrees, to view the harder-to-identify, bow tie formation, students of early star patterns may note the visual similarity between this and what I call “Starburst” or “Crosshatch” medallions. The pattern, however, conspicuously lacks the crosses of St. Andrew (a saltire) and St. George (roman cross), that would allow it to be more accurately categorized as such. Entirely hand-sewn, the canton and stripes of the flag are made of fine silk. The hemming of this was accomplished with great skill. The top and bottom edges are selvedge. These are so similar in nature as to have come from the same maker. There is a white, silk binding along the hoist, in the form of an open sleeve, through which a length of braided hemp rope was passed, expertly looped and re-braided into itself at the top and bottom for strength. The stars are made of white, polished cotton. These were stitched to both sides (double-appliqued). Note how the edges of the fabric were not turned under, providing evidence of the fact that the maker was not especially skilled in appliqueing. This was common, as applique work was far more difficult than producing French seams. In the 19th century, most flags with pieced and sewn construction were 8 feet long and larger. A six-footer was considered small. Even military battle flags, carried on foot, measured 6’ x 6.5’, which translates into approximately 7’ x 7.5’ after framing, about the size of an average quilt and larger than can comfortably fit on a wall in a house with 8-foot ceilings and average width baseboard. Flags smaller than this were produced both commercially and at home, but the smaller they are, the more unusual they are. At just 26.5 x 46.5 inches, this flag is extremely small for a Civil war period flag with sewn construction. Silk was both beautiful and lightweight, which made it elegant for military unit colors and preferable for flags meant to be carried on foot. Most outdoor use flags...
Category

Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

13 Star Antique American Parade Flag, ca 1876-1899
Located in York County, PA
13 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG, WITH A 3-2-3-2-3 CONFIGURATION OF STARS, AN EXTREMELY SCARCE AND UNUSUALLY LARGE VARIETY, MADE circa 1876-1899 13 star American national parade...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Canadian Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

33 Star Antique American Flag with a Great Star Configuration, ca 1859-1861
Located in York County, PA
33 STARS ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH A "GREAT STAR" CONFIGURATION ON A BRILLIANT, INDIGO BLUE CANTON, A RARE AND EXTRAORDINARY EXAMPLE, PRE-CIVIL WAR THROUGH THE WAR'S OPENING YEAR, 1...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Silk

36 Star Antique American Parade Flag, with Canted Stars, ca 1864-1867
Located in York County, PA
36 STAR ANTIQUE AMERICAN PARADE FLAG WITH CANTED STARS IN DANCING ROWS, ON A BEAUTIFUL, CORNFLOWER BLUE CANTON; CIVIL WAR ERA, NEVADA STATEHOOD, 1864-1867 36 star antique American f...
Category

Antique 1860s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

You May Also Like

39-Star Antique American Flag with 'Whimsical' Star Pattern, 1889
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, handmade and printed on cotton. The flag dates to 1889 and has a unique history, thanks to its rare star-count. The flag’s canton is prin...
Category

Antique 1880s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Cotton

Monumental "Valley Forge" American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About This is an original monumental American flag made by Valley Forge Co. with 48 stars and stripes and brass grommets. Creator Valley Forge Co. Date of manufacture c.1940-1950. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

38-Star Antique American Flag with Unique Canton, circa 1876-1890
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a striking 38-star American flag. The flag dates to 1876-1890, when Colorado (represented by the large star in the center of the flag’s canton) joined the Union as the 38th s...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Muslin

Centennial Celebration "1776-1876" American Flag Banner
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a rare Centennial patriotic flag banner, dating to 1876. The flag’s brilliant blue canton is spectacular, with 81 five-pointed, rayed stars, arranged to read “1776” and “1876.” The flag’s design is completed with thirteen alternating red and white stripes. The flag is a three-piece, treadle-sewn sewn construction, printed on a thin wool and cotton blend. Along the edge, there is a narrow, treadle-sewn sleeve made of cotton tape. In the lead up to the nation’s Centennial in 1876, flag makers and individuals looked to the past for designs to produce as part of the country’s many celebrations. Popular interpretation of the stars and stripes undoubtedly reached its climax of variety and originality at the time of our Nation’s first Centennial. Since no design restrictions were placed on flagmaker’s imaginations and no strict distinctions were drawn between official and unofficial star counts, it is no surprise that, on the occasion of the Centennial, creativity in flag design was not the exception, but the rule. The cantons from this period presented an array of geometric abstractions. Great star patterns, referred to as the “starry flower of Liberty” by Oliver Wendell Holmes, that were popular from 1818 and on, resurfaced in Centennial flags...
Category

Antique 1870s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Early 20th c. Monumental American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT This is an original monumental American flag made by Valley Forge Co. with 48 hand sewn stars and stripes. It is in good condition and has metal grommets to hang. CREATO...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Fabric

Early 20th C. Monumental American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About This is an original monumental American flag made with 48 hand sewn stars and stripes. It is in good condition and has brass grommets to hang. Creator unknown. Date of m...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Recently Viewed

View All