This extremely fine dress was collected from a Zuni girl in Ojo Caliente in the summer of 1895. The diamond twill borders and designs woven in red are characteristic of Navajo mantas that were worn as dresses and shawls by Pueblo women (mainly at Acoma and Zuni between about 1850-1880).

Museum Expedition 1911, Museum Collection Fund

Made entirely from trade materials, these distinctive cloth pouches were accessories for ceremonial clothing. They were called octopus bags because of their tentacle-like fringes. Some of the Tlingit designs may have been influenced by proximity to the Athabascan groups to the east. The reverse of the bag is plain.The pouch has four double fringe "arms" and a black wool strap.

Museum Expedition 1904, Museum Collection Fund

This cradleboard shows a mixture of Plains and Plateau style attributes.

By exchange

The object is a spear case that is part of material purcased as belonging to Red Cloud. It has a long tubular hide section at the top and an attached triangular-shaped hide pouch at the bottom. The tubular portion contains cut out geometric patterns and is edged with red and blue woolen cloth that is attached with hide binding. It has two loosely attached beaded hide rectangles trimmed with red woolen cloth and fringed at one end. The front of the pouch portion has blue, white, red and yellow beadwork forming vertical triangular designs in different sizes. It is edged with long hide fringe strips. This type of Crow case was often carried across the saddle of women to honor their husbands as seen in historical photographs. They are still made today for the same purpose and are an important part of Crow regalia.

Gift of Sasha Nyary and Family

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.

Bequest of W.S. Morton Mead