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Beaded leather shirt with fringe / Unknown

Curatorial Remarks

The strips of beadwork on the shoulders are blanket strips. These strips were separately attached to the shirt after the beadwork was completed. This shirt appears to have yellow staining on it which is characteristic of Southern Plains groups. The V shaped collar with fringe is also indicative of Southern Plains groups, and they are generally a sewn on separate piece of leather. This may have been introduced in the 1830s when fur traders shared Anglo-American clothing styles with tribes.

Tags: painted, beaded, hide shirt
People: Southern Plains
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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Title(s): 
Beaded leather shirt with fringe
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Wieghorst Studio Collection (Collection)
Culture: 
Native American; Southern Plains
Date: 
circa 1890
Materials/Techniques: 
semi-tanned hide, glass, sinew, cotton thread, pigment, dye
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
From the Olaf Wieghorst Studio Collection. Gift of Mrs. Olaf Wieghorst
Accession No: 
84.2369
Department: 
Collection: 
Not On View

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