This Yoruba hand sewn bag consists of a beaded front flap covering an inside pocket. The shoulder strap is decorated with cowrie shells.   The fabric backing is reinforced with a cardboard type insert.  This style satchel was used by diviners in the Yoruba culture located in present day Nigeria and Benin.

The beaded area measures about 19x 16 inches. The length of the strap is about 35 inches. 

Beadwork can communicate social messages about the wearer. Colors and patterns have symbolic meaning.

Here we have a central female figure, perhaps a fertility symbol, accompanied by 

faces and lizards, and two 4 inch flaps.

Shows some wear. Please feel free to ask questions and request more photos.