This is a very finely woven cornhusk bag in impeccable condition. The colors of the dyed cornhusk are soft and very pleasing as are the designs, which are a variation of an 8 pointed star with a horizontal bar bisecting the center of the design. This in turn gives movement to the design as well as implying arrows. Clearly a very skilled weaver and artist wove this bag.

The Nez Perces were migratory people who lived in Idaho, Washington and Oregon in the Columbia River plateau. They traded horses to the Plains Indian tribes. Necessarily, all of their possessions had to be easily transported. Bags were carried by men, women and children during ceremonies as well as in everyday life.

Neighboring tribes in the Plateau area made very similar bags, especially the Yakima Indians. Because their bags are difficult to distinguish from those of the Nez Perces, without documentation as being from the Yakima, cornhusk bags are often referred to as being "Nez Perces". The Nez Perces were the largest tribe in the area.