Special Improvement Fund

Bequest of W.S. Morton Mead

This headdress is constructed on a base of red Stroud cloth, formed into a band and decorated with beadwork in a series of "filled triangles." Blue triangular outlines filled with white beads alternate with white outlines filled with blue. A line of white beads is also attached at the lower edge of the red band. Horsehair that has been dyed red is inserted on the top of the band and a ribbon, once green, is tied on at both ends for fastening. An ear lock of horse hair is tied with sinew onto hide thong and a fine crewel yarn cord is hand plaited at the edge where the horsehair is attached.

The trailer consists of brown otter fur lengthened by the addition of a lighter fur that is cloth backed. It is attached to a ring of 28 bear claws circled with blue beads on the outer edge and fur on the neck edge. There is a rosette part way down the trailer, made from reeds and cloth with a feather attached to the center.This necklace was purchased from Sahe (Osage).

Modern feather bonnet made over a felt hat base. It's construction seems to be very poorly made so it was possibly made just for sale.

These hide moccasins are made identically to each other with a floral pattern on the vamp, sides and cuff. The hide cuff is sewn on and has a ribbon edging. The beadwork contains rare solid gold or gold plated beads considered unique and used in the Southeast region which suggests the moccasins are Cherokee in origin. Some historians feel the use of these beads is linked to the 1829 Georgia Gold Rush era. See supplemental file in curator office.

The saddle is constructed as a heavy pad, enclosed within a durable covering of smoked skins. The skins were cut in an hourglass shape and then sewn together with sinew. The pad itself is stuffed with deer of buffalo hair or, possibly grass as a cushion. A large rectangular piece of Stroud cloth, now brown, has been attached across the center of the saddle. It is finished with two lobe-like shapes and edged with white beads. The seams of the pad are edged with multi-colored quillwork in yellow, light blue, lavender, orange, brown, black and white. Black cotton fringe has been attached to the two narrow ends of the saddle. On each of the longer sides are four elongated cloth tabs, red at the center, tan at the edges and beaded with small geometric forms and lines in white, blue and orange. The tabs are trimmed at the bottom with deer hair tufts and interspersed with a fringe of large black, blue and amber glass beads. A cloth rosette decorates each of the four corners of the pad, containing four interconnected lobes that are fashioned in red, blue and black silk and Stroud cloth and ornamented with beads. Below each rosette are appliquéd lozenge forms or pointed ovals, containing two small triangles placed back to back, also edged with white beads. The remnants of what might be stirrup leathers are concealed under the cloth. They are covered by a lighter, softer skin (deer?). The strap remnants seem to be recycled from some other object - - one side has a green, black and red painted design. Some native repair is evident. See Jarvis supplemental file Arts of Americas office.

The ash wood pipe stem is carved, pierced and painted with red and blue-green paint. It is decorated with horsehair, a bird scalp, and a piece of silk ribbon. The original Jarvis inscription reads, "Indian Pipe Menominee."

By exchange

This club has the shape of a gunstock, thus the sobriquet 'gunstock club. It may have been used for dance, men’s celebrations, gatherings, and societies. The stock is decorated with red paint and fire markings. Eagle feathers attached to one end have pinked edges. Ribbons decorate the handle, and green military braid serves as a wrist hold.