Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund

Gift of F. Ethel Wickham

Anonymous gift in memory of Dr. Harlow Brooks

The backs, thumbs, and cuffs of these mittens are decorated with porcupine quillwork in a delicate curvilinear and geometric design complex that was originally colored bright blue, red, white, and purple. The cuff is decorated with a scalloped quillwork line in red and green and a horizontal border in registers of red, blue and green with white and purple diamonds running through it. On the front of the mitten (the back side of the wearer's hand) is a stylized, four petaled, red flower with two secondary tri-lobed flowers, represented by blue outlines and three heart-shaped petals that emerge from the center of the red flower. Four curvilinear green and white lines emerge from the center of this red flower and they in turn terminate in flowers with three-pointed petals of red, blue, and purple. This is referred to as "turning swastika-like cross petals design." On the same side of the mitten, closest to where the thumb is on the reverse, is a quilled strip of red and purple diamonds, bordered in white and placed on a band-like field of blue and red. On the thumb itself is a pattern of three flowers combined, a red one at the center and a blue and white one on each side. This motif is placed above a four-lobed linear representation of a red flower, very similar to the large one on the other side of the mitten. There is evidence the mittens once had a fur strip edging. The mittens have a printed cloth lining, patterned with a brownish green leafy or paisley design on a natural ground. The pattern is not meant to show as it is faced into the inside of the mittens. See Jarvis supplemental file Arts of Americas office.

Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund

This pair of moccasins is made of hide with beaded geometric designs in green, yellow and white. There are two beaded cross motifs (possibly a star) on the vamp of each moccasin. The triangular design down the front might indicate deer hoof, rope, person, rope deer hoof or buffalo hoof. The sinuous beding along the side may indicate pathways. Note: design signification cannot be definately determined as abstract designs can mean different things according to each maker.The cuff of each moccasin has been cut into points. Condition fair. Beadwork stable. Cuffs are slightly stiff.

This is called a frame hand drum. There is a modern scarf tied around the hide struts in the back where a person would hold it.In very poor condition.

The breastplate is rectangular in shape with two fluted bone sections flanking a small center section of beads that continues upward in a circle forming a hole for the neck. Attached to each side of this neckband is a string of beads that connects to the sides of the breastplate. Leather ties, sparse fringe, and metal "hawk" bells dangle from each side of the breastplate. Culture is northern Plains, possibly Dakota, or Lakota Sioux, CONDITION: Surface is without visible damage. Hide fringe is worn, and some beads show wear and scuffing. One of the bells on the fringe is also flattened. Also tagged as X2000.1660

Anonymous gift in memory of Dr. Harlow Brooks

Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund