Otter strip hair ties / Unknown

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.
Tags: otter fur, hair ties, brown
People: 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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Anthropology Item Information

©Gilcrease Museum

Title(s):

Otter strip hair ties

Creator(s):

Unknown

Culture:

Native American; Ponca (artist and user)

Date:

19th century - mid-20th century

Materials/Techniques:

otter

Classification:

Ethnographic Objects

Object Type:

Hair Ornament

Accession No:

85.56a-b

Previous Number(s):

8526.56 a-b

Department:

Anthropology

Not On View

Dimensions

Overall:

Length: 26in. (66.0cm)
Width: 0 1/2in. (1.3cm)

Tags and Search Terms

Tags:

accessory, Animal, Animal, beauty, brown, Central Plains, Convergence of Native Cultures in Northeast Oklahoma: Connecting Ancient to Modern, dance, fur, hair, hair ornament, Native Americans, ornament, Otter, Ponca, status, social, strip, ties (fasteners)

Cite this Page

Unknown. Otter strip hair ties. 85.56a-b. 19th century - mid-20th century. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://collections.gilcrease.org/object/8556a-b (02/15/2019).

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