ASSINIBOIN MEN DRESSED FOR THE GRASS DANCE. ...

Description

ASSINIBOIN MEN DRESSED FOR THE GRASS DANCE

All have their faces and limbs painted, and the man standing front, third from right, has painted his hair as well. Most have brass sleigh bells on straps around their legs, or hanging from their belts. Note the six breastplates of large, bone hairpipes. In the 1860s when this type of decoration originated, a breastplate was short, covering only the upper chest. By the 1880s, breastplates might be waist-length, like the two seen here at the right. In the 1890s, the philosophy of "more is better" has taken over and the two breastplates at left extend well below the waist. Such an ornament weighed several pounds. Note the very tall man second from left, who towers a full head above everyone else. A pencil caption dated 1915, verso, identifies him as "Chief Gall---Custer fight," but this is incorrect. The man third from left, wearing a white felt hat with an eagle feather, may be the noted Assiniboin warrior Red Whip, who was photographer by Joseph K. Dixon in 1909 (see his The Vanishing Race).

Dimensions: 5 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches


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