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Trade bead necklace with additional mescal beans
Unknown
Coconut shell rattle with leather ties
Mark Littlebear
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Woman's hide dress with cape and silk ribbons / Unknown

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Curatorial Remarks

Cowry shells may have been a replacement for elk's teeth, and the shells become more popular in the 1900s. These shells were likely acquired in Texas. The mescal beans likely indicate peyote association. These beans were a symbol of power in the Native American Church.

Tags: mescal, cowry, silk ribbon, hide
People: Kiowa
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: domestic use, ceremonial use

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Woman's hide dress with cape and silk ribbons
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Kiowa
Date: 
early 20th century - mid-20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
hide, glass, metal, seed, shell (cowrie), cotton, plastic
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Object Type: 
Dress and Cape
Accession No: 
84.1792a-b
Previous Number(s): 
8427.1792
Department: 
Anthropology
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