Black Leggings Society of the Kiowa cape decorated with military name and hand print outlines / Harding Big Bow

Essay/Description

A rectangular piece of red twill with folded and hand sewn hems. A strip of white silk ribbon is sewn along the bottom edge of what appears to be the back side. The front side features two hand shaped decorative designs, almost life size. These are cut out of white crepe and glued down. They are outlined in a line of partially glued, partially sewn silver sequins, silver glitter, and blue beads. The back side of the piece suggests that it was made from an item of military origin. "Sgt. L. Pennah U. S. Army" on back. White and yellow chain stitched machine embroidery with paper stabilizer shows from beneath a hem. There are holes throughout and the hem on one side has become ragged.

Curatorial Remarks

This is an Osage hand blanket. Osage hand blankets seem to have been influenced by the Nez Pierce after they were removed to Indian territory. They were captured in Montana. This is a U.S. army issued blanket with the name "SGT L Pennah U.S. Army"
Tags: Handblanket, red, rhinestone
People: Osage
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: domestic use, ceremonial 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):

Black Leggings Society of the Kiowa cape decorated with military name and hand print outlines

Creator(s):

Harding Big Bow (Used by)

Unknown (Used by)

Culture:

Native American; Kiowa (artist and user)

Date:

early 20th century

Materials/Techniques:

cotton, silk, plastic or metal, glue

Classification:

Ethnographic Objects

Clothing and Garments

Object Type:

Cape

Credit Line:

Gift of Mr. Harding and Mrs. Pearl Big Bow

Accession No:

99.230

Previous Number(s):

TL1997.28.1; tl1997.28.1

Department:

Anthropology

Not On View

Dimensions

Cape:

Length: 52in. (132.1cm)
Width: 28in. (71.1cm)

About the Creator(s)

From Gilcrease Museum:

Creator:

Harding Big Bow

Biography:

Mr. Big Bow was a roadman and organizational leader in the Native American Church, having served as the President of the Native American Church of Oklahoma. He was also an easel painter in the Kiowa style. He was the co-organizer of the exhibition project that became "Symbols of Faith and Belief: The Art of the Native American Church" alongside Gilcrease Senior Curator at the time Daniel Swan. After his death, his wife Pearl Big Bow gave his NAC equipment and other objects to Gilcrease Museum. Mr. Big Bow's life work, and art are described in various publications, especially Dan Swan's (1999) "Peyote religious Art", Jackson: University of Mississippi; (1990) Southern Plains Indian Museum and Crafts Center: Symbolic Paintings by Harding Big Bow, Anadarko.

Role(s):

Used by

From Getty's Union List of Artist Names:

Names (all):

Big Bow, Harding

Birth Date:

1921

Death Date:

1997

Nationalities:

Native American

Roles:

Kiowa painter and flute maker, 1921-1997

Gender:

male

Tags and Search Terms

Tags:

Black Legging Society, cape, ceremony, clothes, clothing, Convergence of Native Cultures in Northeast Oklahoma: Connecting Ancient to Modern, dance, Kiowa, Native American, red, white (color)

Cite this Page

Big Bow, Harding. Black Leggings Society of the Kiowa cape decorated with military name and hand print outlines. 99.230. early 20th century. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://collections.gilcrease.org/object/99230 (08/21/2018).

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