Glossaries

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Beadwork Glossary Index

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A Back to the Top

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B Back to the Top

Brain-tanned

Leather (moose, deer, elk, antelope, buffalo, caribou or any fur-bearing skin) that is non-chemically tanned and softened using an animal’s brains in a natural process

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Circa

a Latin term, literally meaning "about.” Its usage represents an approximation in dating a work of art, allowing leeway of about 10 years

Condition

Excellent: in pristine condition for its age and type with no structural damage or defacement; no signs of extensive or unacceptable restoration nor is any restoration needed Good: in typical condition for its type and age, physically intact with normal

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D Back to the Top

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E Back to the Top

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F Back to the Top

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G Back to the Top

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H Back to the Top

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I Back to the Top

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J Back to the Top

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K Back to the Top

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Lazy stitch

results in rows of eight to twelve beads

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M Back to the Top

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N Back to the Top

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O Back to the Top

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Pony bead

a small bead introduced by the French to the western Great Lakes region about 1675, named as they were transported by traders on ponies.

Provenance

a history of ownership and/or locations of a particular work of art

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Recto

the Latin word meaning “the right” or more important side of an image; the front side

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Seed bead

any of the small colored beads falling between the size 18/0 to 10/0, the latter being the larger size. These were introduced around 1840, the result of standardization of manufacturing techniques in Venice and Bohemia.

Sinew

A silvery grey tendon traveling down each side of the spine on mammals. Scraped free of all flesh and allowed to dry, it is then shredded into fibers which are moistened and twisted into sewing threads.

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Verso

the Latin word meaning “the wrong” or reverse side of an image; the back side

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White-heart

A bead, either in seed or necklace size, which is composed of an opaque white core with an outer wrapping of translucent color

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X Back to the Top

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Y Back to the Top

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Z Back to the Top