Black Leggings Society of the Kiowa man's red apron with silk trimming / Harding Big Bow

Essay/Description

A rectangular panel of red cotton cloth worn as an apron along with 99.232. As it is the smaller of the two panels, it is probably worn as the front panel. It is constructed of a rectangle of red cotton cloth. At the top (waist) side, there is a doubled band of darker red cotton cloth sewn to form a sleeve though which a belt can pass. On the left and right sides of the front of the panel is sewn a narrow strip of blue-green ribbon. This helps bind the edge. At the bottom front is sewn a strip of multi-colored ribbon in a rainbow pattern. This bands the bottom as well as provides decoration. The piece is machine stitched throughout. The main body of red cloth is pieced out of three pieces.

Curatorial Remarks

This may be a two piece breechcloth.

Tags: breechcloth, apron
People: Possibly Osage
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: 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 man's red apron with silk trimming

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

Classification:

Ethnographic Objects

Clothing and Garments

Object Type:

Apron

Credit Line:

Gift of Mr. Harding and Mrs. Pearl Big Bow

Accession No:

99.231

Previous Number(s):

TL1997.28.2; tl1997.28.2

Department:

Anthropology

Not On View

Dimensions

Overall:

Length: 28 1/2in. (72.4cm)
Width: 8 1/2in. (21.6cm)

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:

apparel, apron, belt, Black Legging Society, ceremony, cloth, Convergence of Native Cultures in Northeast Oklahoma: Connecting Ancient to Modern, cotton, dance, Kiowa, Native American, protective wear, red, ribbon, silk, trimming

Cite this Page

Big Bow, Harding. Black Leggings Society of the Kiowa man's red apron with silk trimming. 99.231. early 20th century. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://collections.gilcrease.org/object/99231 (08/21/2018).

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