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Northern Plains Man’s Beaded Shirt

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
Northern Plains Man’s Beaded Shirt
Preview: Phoenix Marriott Mesa - 200 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201
Preview Period:
Thursday January 27 -- 3:00 pm-7:00 pm
Friday January 28 -- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday January 29 – 9:00 am -4:30 pm
Multicolored, beaded geometric strips over each shoulder and one down each sleeve. Beaded triangular tabs (front & back) on yellow and blue painted hide. Hairlock and ermine fringe. Bound red trade cloth at neck. Good condition, shows some stiffness and breaks, c 1880 LAKOTA SHIRT - by Benson L Lanford Buckskin shirts with hairlocks, ermine streamers and elaborate quilled or beaded strips figure preeminently in the realm of Plains Indian material culture. For the people themselves these shirts traditionally signify that the wearer has reached a pinnacle in life, and that he is of admirable character-- wise, considerate, generous. What is more the man has no doubt distinguished himself as a protector of his community, and has participated in or even lead forays against the foe. Having “War Shirt” is the term commonly applied to garments of this sort, but the shirts were not exclusive to warfare. In reference to the scalplocks regularly attached to the shirts, “scalp shirt” is another commonly applied term. Scalplocks, small bundles of human hair prepared for attachment, typically border the quilled or beaded strips that extend over the shoulders and along the arms. In early times locks from enemy scalps were indeed made and are present on shirts. Particularly in later times, however, locks of hair taken from family members or relatives pertain more to the concept of having those close to one “walking with” the wearer. (READ MORE p 131)