A CROW MAN'S BEADED AND FRINGED HIDE COAT. c. 1890. ...

Description

A CROW MAN'S BEADED AND FRINGED HIDE COAT

c. 1890

decorated on both sides with highly stylized floral elements, stitched in numerous shades of opaque and translucent beads against a hide ground, hide fringe overall

This coat appears in a number of photographs by Fred E. Miller taken at Crow Agency, Montana at the turn of the century. Chief Old Dog, Chief Crooked Arm, Fire Bear, and Come Up Red are all photographed wearing this coat. It is unlikely that the coat was a studio prop since the vast majority of Miller's photographs were taken in the field. Rather it is likely it was passed from person to person while they posed for Miller in front of his stationary camera with its glass plate negatives. The actual owner of the jacket is not known. See: O'Connor, Nancy Fields, Fred E. Miller, Photographer of the Crows, U. of Montana and Carnan Vid Film, Inc., 1985, figures 16 and 17, page 17, plates 25 and 27.

This lot is accompanied by a book: Fred E. Miller: Photographer of the Crows, U. of Montana, Carnan VideFilm, Inc., 1984.

Provenance:
Artist Tom Waugh, Huelett, WY

Length: 37 inches


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