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19th Century Cheyenne Dentalium Shell Earrings

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
19th Century Cheyenne Dentalium Shell Earrings
This is an outstanding set of circa mid-to-late 19th Century dentalium shell earrings from the Cheyenne Native American Indians and the Sundog Gallery Bruce VanLandingham collection. The set shows four rows of four to six dentalium shells strung with sinew with rawhide parfleche spacers. The set is one of the earliest ever offered for sale dating to circa 1860-1880’s. The bottoms have hammered metal accoutrements on the base and copper or brass tops. Provenance: From the renowned Sundog Fine Art Bozeman, Montana collection and collected by Bruce VanLandingham. Bruce VanLandingham was a pillar in the American Indian collecting community and a respected expert. Along with being an avid collector, Bruce also was the sole owner of Sundog Fine Art Gallery in Bozeman, which was both part museum and gallery. Early examples from the Plains, and specifically the Cheyenne are exceedingly rare with this being a fantastic set. The set is in good condition with some slight shell loss. Measures each 7 5/8"L.