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Sioux Cowry Shell Dress c.1880-1910

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Sioux Cowry Shell Dress c.1880-1910
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The lot features an authentic original cowrie shell beaded woman’s dress from the Sioux Native American Indians and dating to circa 1880-1910. Provenance: From a Historic & Important Museum quality private Montana collection. The piece has been examined by a Native American artifact expert and was found to be an authentic original dress dating to the late 19th Century. The dress shows an early velvet trade clothe construction with sequins and satin accents. The top section of the dress shows nearly 100 cowrie or cowry shells on each side. The bottom of the skirt is also framed in several rows of early trade silk like ribbon. The edge of the dresses sleeves, or cuffs show two ribbon rows with one having the brass disk accents being adorned with seed beads. The over 500 cowrie / cowry wampum shells adorning this excellent dress are held together with and internal Indian tanned hide sewing. The dress shows an impressive good condition with minor insect damage to the wool trade cloth collar. The dress is approximately size small.