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Otter hair ornament with round mirror attachments / Unknown

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Curatorial Remarks

Osage people sometimes referred to these as "otter". Otter skin pieces act a specialized dance clothing that hang from the back of the neck down the back. 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 skin is used during dances like the straight dance.

Tags: otter fur, round mirrors, brown, tan
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

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Otter hair ornament with round mirror attachments
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Osage
Date: 
20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
otter, glass, metal, wool
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Object Type: 
Hair Ornament
Accession No: 
85.43a-b
Previous Number(s): 
8526.43 a-b
Department: 
Anthropology
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