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White Mountain Apache comb labeled "Lily Badwolf" and decorated with two swans and flower
Unknown
Otter hair ornament with round mirror attachments
Unknown
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Otter strip hair ornaments with small mirrors / Unknown

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Curatorial Remarks

Otter fur is symbolic of ritual purity. Otters are similar to feathers in their significance. Otters were hunted and trapped by the tribes living in Oklahoma during the 20th century. Otter hair ties are used during dances like the straight dance. There are tied into the hair. They could have been used to tie a roach onto the head.

Tags: otter fur, hair ties, straight dance
People: possibly Osage or Ponca
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial events, dance, public events

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

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Otter strip hair ornaments with small mirrors
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Osage or Ponca (artist and user)
Date: 
19th century - mid-20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
otter, glass, metal
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Object Type: 
Hair Ornament
Accession No: 
85.125a-d
Previous Number(s): 
8526.125 a-d
Department: 
Anthropology
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