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Native American Beadwork

Self-adornment is important to many Native American tribes. Traditionally, garments were decorated with porcupine quills, feathers, animal hair and plant-based dyes. With the introduction of European trade, traditional hand drilled beads made from stone, bone and shell were soon replaced with glass beads in red, yellow, blue, and white. The visual enhancement of clothing and horse gear has remained a strong part of Native American culture to this day. Cisco’s collection of antique American Indian beadwork includes moccasins, pipe bags, flat bags, bandolier bags, tipi bags, gauntlets, cradle boards, fetishes, martingales and more. Much of the collection is from the Great Plains and Plateau regions and dates to the late 19th Century, early 20th Century.

  • Crow Blanket Strip, Native, Accessory, Blanket Strip

    Crow Blanket Strip

    $4,500

    Crow beaded blanket strip on old blue stroud having original salvage both sides. Blanket strip with four rosettes having silk and brain tanned drop...

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  • Ojibwe Bandolier, Native, Bag, Bandolier Bag

    Ojibwe Bandolier

    $5,000

    Ojibwe bandolier bag with loom beaded drops. Beaded floral design on white background with the initials "JC." Larger than most, with pocket. 50"L x...

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  • Choctaw Bandolier, Native, Bag, Bandolier Bag

    Choctaw Bandolier

    $35,000

    Choctaw bandolier shot pouch from a Natchez Mississippi collection. Silk ribbon fringe at shoulder. Exceptional graphic condition. White beading on...

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  • Plateau Flat Bag, Native, Bag, Flat Bag

    Plateau Flat Bag

    $1,500

    Plateau beaded flat bag with floral American Flag and eagle design; 13" x 12".PERIOD: UnknownORIGIN: Plateau - Unknown, Native AmericanSIZE: 13" ...

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  • Hidatsa Moccasins, Native, Garment, Moccasins

    Hidatsa Moccasins

    $4,000

    Hidatsa beaded moccasins. A finely crafted pair with beads and lazy stitched with complex geometric designs in multicolored beads. Sinew sewn. Hard...

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  • Sioux Fetish, Native, Accessory, Fetish

    Sioux Fetish

    $1,500

    Sioux fetish. With four quilled wrapped feet (one linen). 4 1/2"LPERIOD: 19th CenturyORIGIN: Great Plains - Sioux, Native AmericanSIZE: 4 1/2"L

  • Sioux Cradleboard, Native, Accessory, Cradleboard

    Sioux Cradleboard

    $3,500

    Sioux beaded cradleboard. The beaded top classic design, having thunderbirds with both sides on three white bars with red-white hearts and greasy y...

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  • Apache War Shirt, Native, Garment, Shirt

    Apache War Shirt

    $35,000

    Mid 19th century Western Apache war shirt of brain tanned mountain lion hide, perforated for ventilation showing an eight point star, fringed and p...

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