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Beaded ceremonial leather vest decorated with mirrors and attached belt
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Wooden mirror with chrome stud decorations / Unknown

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Curatorial Remarks

Plain wooden dance mirror. Dance mirrors became prevalent in the 19th century. The points or spikes represent "H-e-ga". H-e-ga meaning the snare of life, symbolic of life in the body. Dance mirrors were common amongst all living in the Plains.

Tags: wooden dance mirror, wood, metal tacks, handle
People: Osage
Places: Southern Plains
Purpose: social events, dances

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

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Wooden mirror with chrome stud decorations
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Osage and Ponca
Date: 
20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
wood, glass, steel, chrome or nickel, silver, resin
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Object Type: 
Mirror
Credit Line: 
Gift of Lydia Whitehead
Accession No: 
84.876
Previous Number(s): 
8400.876
Department: 
Anthropology
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