Belt 1935 - 1942

This delicately rendered watercolor, titled 'Belt' by Mary Berner, offers us a glimpse into late 19th-century material culture. Berner, born in 1855, lived in a society undergoing significant shifts in gender roles and cultural identity, especially for Native American women. Here we see a beaded belt depicted with careful detail, a fashionable accessory that could signify both personal style and cultural identity. During this period, beadwork was not only a traditional craft but also a form of economic and cultural expression for Native women. Berner may be communicating the intricacies of identity—how fashion and adornment can carry layers of meaning. The belt seems to capture a moment of transition, reflecting both the adaptation to mainstream fashion and the persistence of Indigenous artistry. This image prompts us to reflect on how everyday objects can embody complex negotiations of identity, tradition, and change.