Horse Collar Item Number: 87.88.104 from the Portland Art Museum
Description
Traditional Nez Perce culture places a great value on horses, and both horses and riders wear their finest trappings during parades held at annual encampments and celebrations. This beaded collar is meant to hang from a horse's neck. The beadwork is sewn onto the red wool cloth with an overlay stitch that alternates between horizontal and vertical orientation in the various design areas. The geometric design emphasizes elongated triangles and diamonds in colors of predominantly the same value. The subtle color shift in the blue background is unusual and provides an added feeling of dimension.
Collection History Provenance
The Elizabeth Cole Butler Collection.
Item History
- Made by Nez Perce artist during 1875
What
- Name
- Horse Collar
- Identification Number
- 87.88.104
- Type of Item
- martingale
- Material
- wool cloth, cotton cloth, leather, glass bead and brass bell
- Overall
- height 41.0 in, width 21.0 in
Who
- Culture
- Interior Salish and Nez Perce
- Creator
- Nez Perce artist
Where
- Holding Institution
- Portland Art Museum
- Made in
- “Plateau” ?
When
- Creation Date
- during 1875
Other
- Categories
- Plateau; Animal Equipment