DESIGNS
Most Columbia River Plateau bags are classified according to one of two basic design categories. The first and oldest design category is geometric designs, several examples of which are displayed in the left-hand case below. Geometric designs are thought to have evolved as a function of the weaving process itself, which naturally encourages angular motifs like triangles, diamonds, rectangles, chevrons and lines. Although the individual components of geometric designs are simple, the many ways the different shapes can be combined often produces patterns that are highly complex and sophisticated. The second major design category found in Columbia River Plateau bags is figural designs. Figural designs encompass a broad range of representational forms that include everything from human figures to animals to plants. Because figural designs are much more difficult to create using traditional weaving techniques, they tend to appear mainly in small embroidered bags and in beaded bags.
In addition to distinguishing
between geometric and figural designs, scholars also classify Columbia River
Plateau bags according to the organization of the designs. The five most common categories of design organization are
overall designs, banded designs, central designs, five-part designs, and
naturalistic designs. Lastly, the
use of color is yet a third important factor that affects our perception and
understanding of Columbia River bag designs.