CHIEF JOSEPH. c. 1879...

Description

CHIEF JOSEPH
c. 1879
Joseph, Nez Perce Head Chief, by Charles M. Bell, Washington, D.C., Jan. 1879. Mounted on board, with gold-gilded edges.

Having barely arrived in the Capitol from his new home in exile in Indian Territory, Chief Joseph was taken to a reception at the White House, January 14, 1879, where he and Yellow Bull (following lot) were greeted by President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes. In this striking portrait Joseph wears a striped-blanket coat, with a Mexican trade blanket folded over his left arm. His loop necklace was made of wrapped seed beads, probably blue in color. Joseph's wool broadcloth leggings have beaded strips and cloth panels at the cuffs in a contrasting color, probably dark-blue leggings with red cuffs. His leather moccasins are beaded in a classic, Nez Perce "keyhole" design. The cord crossing his chest supports the coyote skin hanging at the left, an insignia of honorable service as scout for a war party.

Dimensions: image, 9 ¾ x 15 ¾ inches; mount, 10 ½ x 17 inches


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