Gilcrease Museum is temporarily closed for construction.

Get the Full Story
Possible modeling tool that is wooden and shaped like a spool

Dyed deer hair and porcupine hair roach with cotton shoestring ties / Steve and Tony Bolinger

Curatorial Remarks

This roach is part of an Osage straight dance outfit. The underneath woven design is a form of basketry. The roach attaches to the hair on top of the head. The dark ties are tied under the chin to hold the roach on top of the head. Most smaller roaches are made from turkey beards.

Tags: horse hair, red dye, horse hair roach, pigment, cotton, straight dancebrowntanshoestringsblack
People: Osage
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial events, dances, straight dance

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

You may be interested in...

Title(s): 
Dyed deer hair and porcupine hair roach with cotton shoestring ties
Culture: 
Native American; Osage
Date: 
20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
deer hair, porcupine quills, cotton cord, cotton shoestring, wooden spool, dye, cellophane tape, cotton thread, semi-tanned hide
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gifted in honor of James Bruce Bolinger
Accession No: 
84.3419
Previous Number(s): 
TL2010.34.27; TL 2010.34.27
Department: 
Not On View

Our Online Collections site is a work in progress. If you have information about this item that may be of assistance, please contact us.