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Necklace with trade beads and bear claws strung on leather / Native American; Blackfeet

Essay/Description

Blackfoot chief’s necklace. Glass beads and bear claws strung on leather.

Plains Indians’ necklaces “were made of grass, seeds, shell beads, strings of fossil crinoids, animal claws, horns, antlers, and teeth, especially elk teeth” (Paterek 1994, 86). Bear-claw necklaces were greatly valued for their beauty and power. Some bear-claw necklaces would have otter fur around the neck. Trade beads were made and brought from Europe to trade with the Native Americans for gold, furs, and other precious materials. Many beads were made in Italy, often from glass. The Native Americans greatly valued these beads because the beads they made were arduously crafted one at a time and, therefore, were valuable and rare (Dubin 1999, 172).

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Title(s): 
Necklace with trade beads and bear claws strung on leather
Culture: 
Native American; Blackfeet
Date: 
19th century
Period: 
Historic
Place: 
Great Plains, United States of America
Materials/Techniques: 
leather, glass, bear claws
Dimensions: 
Overall: 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm)
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
84.2158
Department: 
Not On View

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