A CROW MAN'S HAIR EXTENSION. c. 1885. ...

Description

A CROW MAN'S HAIR EXTENSION

c. 1885

attached to a fringed hide strip decorated with red ochre pigment, the long hair with applied red daubs and wrapped with red wool trade cloth

These hair ornaments were worn by men, hanging over their neck and down the back. The individual strands of matted hair were held together by daubs of pine pitch and/or white clay with vermillion added to give the red color. The strands were then strung together at the top and attached to a hide band. For a related example, see: Bates, Craig, Bonnie Kahn and Benson Lanford, The Cheyenne/Arapaho Ledger Book from the Pamplin Collection, Dr. Robert Pamplin, Jr, publisher, 2003, fig. 29, p. 187, and plate ST, p. 242, for a pictographic drawing showing a Cheyenne warrior attacking a Crow who is wearing a hair extension.

Edward S. Curtis photographed three Crow Indians on horseback wearing these ornaments. See: The North American Indian, vol. 4, plate 136, (Black Canyon). The caption states, "The picture illustrates the Apsaroke custom of wearing at the back of the head a band from which fall numerous strands of false hair ornamented at regular intervals with pellets of bright-colored gum."

Length: 37 inches

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