- More
Sioux Warrior's Shirt depicting American flags. Circa 1890. Length 38 1/2 in.. This shirt is tailored in typical Plains fa... (Total: 1 Item Item)
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Sioux Warrior's Shirt depicting American flagsCirca 1890
Length 38 1/2 in.
This shirt is tailored in typical Plains fashion and made to be worn poncho style. There are hide tie laces along the open sides and the sleeves are sewn together from wrist to elbow. The shirt is decorated with beaded shoulder and sleeve strips, the outer edges fringed with long hair locks. "In theory, at least, a lock of hair was added for each recognized deed in war: as, coup, capturing a horse, taking prisoners, getting wounds, saving the life of a friend, etc., but eventually the fringed shirt became simply the conventional regalia of the four grand councilors and finally a style of dress for anyone." The beaded strips feature classic Sioux colors and geometric motifs including crosses, chevrons, and triangles in red, green, yellow, and blue. Matched pairs of American flags are integrated into the design scheme. Further, the shirt is painted in blue green and yellow.
The American flag became a popular design element with the Western Sioux during the last quarter of the nineteenth century and into the twentieth. Its significance is subject to differing interpretations and meanings might be layered. The flag could be viewed as a power symbol, a protective device, or an expression of loyalty to new authority. It may also be a reflection of Sioux beadworkers interest in new design concepts and changing fashions of the times. This phenomenon has been explored in several studies. (See: Pohrt, Richard, The American Indian/The American Flag, Flint Institute of Arts, 1975; and Herbst, Toby and Kopp, Joel, The Flag in American Indian Art. Cooperstown: New York State Historical Association, 1993.) For similar examples see: The American Indian/The American Flag, figure 93, p. 82; and again in Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection, figure T72, p. 131. Another shirt can be noted in Thompson, Judy, The North American Indian Collection: A Catalogue. Berne Historical Museum, 1977, figure 120, p. 176.
Over time "war shirts" became less emblematic of specific rank or society affiliation. Nevertheless, they would only have been worn by important, well respected Lakota men.
Provenance
Acquired from a Pennsylvania family by Roy Harrelson. James Hart, Acquisition, Inc., Maple Shade, New Jersey.
Reference
Wissler, Clark, "Societies and Ceremonial Associations of the Oglala Division of the Teton-Dakota," Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. XI, Part 1, New York, 1912.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.
This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)US Coins
Ends on 01/25/2021
Currency
Ends on 01/25/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 01/25/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 01/28/2021
US Coins
Ends on 01/29/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/03/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 02/05/2021
Luxury Accessories
Ends on 02/07/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/09/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/10/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 02/11/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/11/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/15/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/17/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/18/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/22/2021
Currency
Opens about 01/25/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/03/2021
Photography
Opens about 02/03/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/05/2021
Historical
Opens about 02/08/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 02/05/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 01/31/2021
Currency
Opens about 02/01/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/10/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/11/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/08/2021
Photography
Opens about 02/17/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Western & Texas Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/12/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/23/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/24/2021
Nature & Science
Opens about 02/26/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 02/21/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/15/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/11/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/25/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
The catalogue has some beauties! And your friendship, as well as your excellent work, means a lot too.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search