Cape

Sioux people, Plains region, Native American

Early 20th century

This velvet cape is Anglo/European in style, but was made by Native American women, for Native American children. European traders introduced velvet, silk, ribbons, glass seed beads, and thread to Native American groups of the Plains region in the mid 1800s, and those new goods became sought after for the crafting of Indian clothing. Along with new imported materials, Native American women began to introduce Western styles of clothing, as well as floral motifs into their beadwork, influenced by Anglo/European fabrics and other goods.

See More of the Collection

Shaman's Headdress, Sioux people, Plains region, Native American, feathers, horns, rawhide, quills, and paint
Artist-manipulated digitally reproduced photograph by C.M. (Charles Milton) Bell; subject is Bia Eélisaash/Large Stomach Woman (Pregnant Woman) / Two Belly seated, half-length profile. Elements of regalia outlined in red and text annotations in red radiate from figure.
Basket, Tohono O'odham people (also called Papago), Native American, grass fibers and vegetal dye
Rectangular fired clay tile with title Tewa Tales of Suspense and painted scene of Pueblo warrior fighting helmeted Spanish soldier with smoke and flames in background.