Beaded Frame - L970.D.037.020
Made with a maroon cloth backing. The edges of the frame are bound with a white silk material that has become dirty and yellowed with age. The edges of the frame are loops of beads, sewn to the white cloth binding. The frame measures 20.6 cm by 14 cm.
Among the popular beaded souvenirs were picture frames, often with a variety of expressions in English, such as “From Niagara Falls,” “I Love You,” or “Missing You.” The imagery included a singing bird on the top, leaves and flowers and designs that are thought to be bird nests on the lower corners. The light blue fabric behind the beads has worn away. The elaborate beading with clear beads sewn in overlapping rows emphasizes the design and appears like cake frosting.