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 bag was made by Virpi Arrela, a handicraft maker who has worked for Petteri Laiti for 12 years. Laiti is one of the best known handicraft workers among the Finnish Sámi. See accession COMPLETE for more details. Petteri Laiti designed the bag, and worked the skin (sisti) into leather, Virpi Arrela sewed the bag and did the pewter thread embrodery. It is made in a similar style to the traditional Sámi style for making coffee and salt bags, but has been adapted for modern usage. Purchaced in the Duodji shop in Inari village. 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. 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)
Bag made of reindeer leather with a draw string neck. The cord to close the bag is made from twisted reindeeer skin (made in the traditional way). The bag is decorated in typical Sámi style: red strips of woollen cloth have been sewn into the seams, the body of the bag is decorated with a panel of green wool on which has been sewn pewter thread in the shape of the sun (a circle with eight rays extending outwards).
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