Beaded Shoulder Bag

Bagobo Shoulder bag: basket made of splints, the exterior is covered with red and tan material on one side and tan fabric with red, blue, and tan embroidery on the other the embroidered side is also decorated with metal sequins and white beads, the dark blue strap is decorated with beads, tan and red embroidery, and metal bells. Used for carrying jewelry and betel nut

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Map Cornell Anthropology Collections

Creator

Bagobo

Date

Early 20th century

Identifier

Anthr1943_002_0010_01

Origin

Bagobo

Materials

bamboo, abaca, beads, cloth

Physical Dimensions

46 x 16 cm. (including strap)

Provenance

In circa 1938, Lt. Col. John L. Chamberlain, Jr. and his son donated their collection of Philippine materials to Cornell. Major General John L. Chamberlain (1858-1948) and his son Lt. Col. John L. Chamberlain Jr. (1903-1978) were both connected to Cornell University. General Chamberlain was the military attache on campus in 1938 training officers for the US Army and his son attended Cornell for a Master’s Degree. After graduating from West Point, John Jr. returned to the Philippines and served as a field artillery officer of the Philippine Scouts from 1927-1929.

Acquisition Date

1938

Short description

Conservation notes: Cleaned with glycerine and water and repaired in 1974. Bag was rather stiff so stuffed to help retain shape.

References

Worcester, Dean. 1913. "The Non-Christian Peoples of the Philippine Islands." National Geographic Magazine, Nov. page: 1161.

Collection

Cornell Anthropology Collections

Source

Philippines

Cite this Page

Bagobo, “Beaded Shoulder Bag,” Mapping Philippine Material Culture, accessed August 14, 2025, https://philippinestudies.uk/mapping/items/show/32554.

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