Previous Artifacts - May 2007

 

 

Native American Dress

Soon to be on display in the new exhibit Fur Trade: Tops Hats, Beads and Buffalo Hides is an amazing Native American dress.  The dress was worn by Hail-road Woman (Wa-Su-Can-Ku-Win), the daughter of Chief Big Mouth of the Brule, Lakota.  Chief Big Mouth traded three ponies to acquire the ten rows of dentalium shells that adorn the collar.  These shells were so valuable in trade that companies later produced a manufactured version in order to fulfill demand.  The dress is made of German manufactured blue wool cloth, and is also decorated around the neck with silver fringe, bells and silk ribbon, all of which would have been acquired through trade. 

 

The hem of the dress and the ends of each sleeve are adorned with silk ribbon bands and sequins.  Hawk bells are also stitched along the hemline. The dress will be displayed with its original leather and silver disc belt, the discs representing another trade item.  Chief Big Mouth is known for his feud with Chief Spotted Tail.  In 1869 followers of Chief Spotted Tail murdered Chief Big Mouth. 

 

In preparation for its display the dress and belt recently underwent conservation treatment.  A conservator cleaned the shells and metal bells that adorn the dress and preserved and protected the fragile silk ribbons using an archival-quality gauze-like material called Stabletex.  Corrosion was removed from the belt's silver discs, some of which also had dents removed.  The dress and belt will be exhibited fully supported on a slanted board.  As both objects are relatively heavy this display technique will eliminate any possible stress that might cause damage at seams or other weak points. 

Come see this beautiful dress up close in the new exhibit Fur Trade: Top Hats, Beads, and Buffalo Hides.