Context (CMS Context)
‘The artefact was collected by Sharon Webb following Ph.D. fieldwork done in the area in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Interviews were made with the makers of the artefacts, these are lodged in the Museum’s paper archive with tapes of the interviews and a copy of the report on the collecting project. The interviews consist of detailed conversations as to how the artefacts were made and what they mean to the Sámi today. All Sámi handicrafts are called duodji (this translates as ‘anything a Sámi person makes with their hands’). The purse is made in the traditional Sámi style for making coffee and salt bags. People do not use these to carry coffee and salt anymore, but use them for carrying money, or small objects. This particular purse can be regarded more as an art work than an object for practical and everyday use. A similar purse was entered into the Duodji competition and exhibition held at Varanger Coastal Sámi Museum in 2000. Matleena Fofanoff is a well known and versatile craftsperson, many of her works have been purchaced for Sámi Museums, including Siida, in Inari, in the Finnish Sámi area. She uses traditional methods and processes most of the materials herself, incuding making the fish skin ‘leather’. Fish skin leather is made by Some of Matleena Fofanoff’s work is decorated with fish vetebrae bones, (these are used as beads would be) her husband commented that they are very difficult to clean! Attached to the purse is a label which reads “Sámi Duodji” on the outside, and inside reads “Your guarantee for genuine Sámi handicraft and design”. This is repeated in Finnish and German. The label also bears the makers name, handicraft workers serial number and the price of the object. The Duodji label means that the maker of objects bearing it are members of the Sámi Handicraft association, which guarantees style, quality and that the member is Sámi. This label is used in all Sámi areas (ie in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia) although it is more common in Finland. The object was due to be sold at the Duodji Shop in Inari village, thus had already had its label attached. More details on the Duodji label can be found in the paper archive relating to this collection. Notes made during fieldwork. S. Webb - 11/3/2003. 
Event Date 8/5/2003
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Fish skin purse made in two halves in the traditional style of Sámi coffee and salt bags. The bottom half is made of three pieces of fish (salmon) skin ‘leather’ - this forms the main body of the bag. The top half (which forms the area which is tied to close) is made from one piece of fish (pike) skin leather - this is sewn together with sinew thread (sinew thread is made from reindeer sinew). The tie is made from a twisted pike skin leather cord - both ends are decorated with a fish vertabrae. The body part of the purse is decorated with a piece of red woollen cloth upon which have been sewn plastic beads in a pattern made up of five diamond shapes. The beads are coloured white, blue and yellow.
Event Date 8/5/2003
Author: maa

Context (Display)
On display in 'Sápmi' (Case 67), Maudslay Hall, MAA, from 26/02/2010 onwards. The display was co-curated with staff from the Ajtee Museum in Jokkmokk.
Event Date 26/2/2010
Author: rachel hand