Small size moccasins with a beaded edge in pink, green and white toes. Crow, made from recycled Crow parfleches as design remants can be seen on the bottom .

These are Crow or Ute mocassins. Crow and Ute mix floral and geometric beadwork designs.

Probably Apache because of the use of the black beads. Some pieces of cotton thread in the back. Could be a paint bag.

The Jarvis Collection

Many of the articles in this case (and the adjacent clothing case), some of the earliest and finest Eastern Plains pieces in existence, were collected by Dr. Nathan Sturges Jarvis, a military surgeon stationed at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, between 1833 and 1836. Most items were made by the Eastern and Middle Dakota (Sioux) or by the peoples of the Red River region, including the Red River Métis, Anishinabe, Plains Cree, and Salteaux. Some of the objects were purchased by Jarvis, and some may have been given to him in exchange for his medical services.

These works demonstrate indigenous ingenuity in combining trade materials such as cloth, metal, and glass beads with traditional hides, pipestone, and porcupine and bird quills. For comparison, a few examples collected later by Nathan Jarvis, Jr., during his army service in the Western Territories among the Apache and other Plains peoples are also included. These items clearly show the later indigenous preference for multicolored glass trade beads.

Immature golden eagle feather headdress with a beaded headband. Base of feathers wrapped in red felt and made over a felt hat base. Streamers of weasel fur and cloth dangle from headband sides. These types of war bonnets were historically worn for special occasions and may occasionally be worn on the battle field (although men often wore one or two special feathers instead). A man earned the right to make one through his brave deeds. Initially he would be awarded a single feather for each deed; a coup, killing, or horse stealing success. Once he accumulated ten feathers he was generally given permission to obtain the eagle feathers for a full bonnet. Ideally they would have 28 eagle feathers and each may have additional notching to designate an event. The tips of the feathers could be tied with the horsehair if a man had counted many coups. Thus the bonnets became oral histories and each piece signified events in the warrior's life. Feathers were very valuable, i.e., 12 feathers equaled 1 horse. These were worn by warriors, not necessarily "chiefs". Only a few very high ranked warriors would have the bonnets with the long trailers down the back. Today bonnets are still made as recognition for achievements in life, dedication to their community as well as war participation. Golden eagles are a protected bird and Non-natives may not use them, buy them or transport them without special permits.

Brooklyn Museum Collection

Bequest of W.S. Morton Mead

Plains type man's case , Blackfoot, probably, because design of the bear claw and the parallel lines although the case does have a wide border and curve elements not usually seen as Blackfoot. This might have held sacred objects or a rolled up headdress. Might be missing a top piece otherwise in good condition. Sioux, possibly and Northern for sure.

Bequest of W.S. Morton Mead

Woman's belt case decorated with multicolored, beaded geometrical designs and tin cones, with remnants of paint in it.