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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.

  • Sioux Leggings, Native, Garment, Leggings

    Sioux Leggings

    $3,500

    Sioux leggings. Full beaded. Larger than most. Brain tanned deer skin. Red white hearts. 15" x 6 1/2"PERIOD: Late 19th CenturyORIGIN: Great Plains ...

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  • Plateau Gauntlets, Native, Garment, Gauntlets

    Plateau Gauntlets

    $1,700

    Plateau made beaded gauntlets. Native tanned buckskin with beaded geometric pattern of white, red, orange, green, yellow and faceted smoke on a sky...

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  • Sioux Moccasins, Native, Garment, Moccasins

    Sioux Moccasins

    $5,500

    Sioux made fully beaded moccasins. Thread and sinew-sewn on hide. Beaded in colors of dark blue, red white-heart, greasy yellow, marcasite, light b...

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  • Whimsy Pouch, Native, Whimsy, Pouch

    Whimsy Pouch

    $1,200

    Iroquois made whimsy beaded pouch. Beaded with different designs on both sides. Bead panel 5" x 6" overall 8". Drawstring at top. A never used piec...

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  • Whimsy Pouch, Native, Whimsy, Pouch

    Whimsy Pouch

    $400

    Iroquois made beaded whimsy pouch with raised flower design one side and leaves on reverse. 4" x 3" x 2" plus drops.PERIOD: Early 20th CenturyORIGI...

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  • Whimsy Pouch, Native, Whimsy, Purse

    Whimsy Pouch

    $300

    Iroquois made beaded whimsy pouch with words "From Niagra Falls" and bird and flower design on reverse. 5" x 2" x 2 1/2".PERIOD: Early 20th Century...

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  • Sioux Medicine Bag, Native, Accessory, Medicine

    Sioux Medicine Bag

    $15,000

    Sioux beaded "Web of Life" medicine bag in the class Sioux Warriror style with quill drops, having tin cones, and yellow horsehair. 11" x 8 1/2"PER...

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  • Crow Pictorial Bag, Native, Bag, Pouch

    Crow Pictorial Bag

    $9,000

    19th century Crow made beaded bag with seven coup marks, signifying military raids, and 12 "decorations," signifying leadership. An important piece...

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  • Plateau Gauntlets, Native, Garment, Gauntlets

    Plateau Gauntlets

    Current Price $550
    Original Price $1,200
    |
    54.17% off

    Plateau made floral beaded gauntlets with machine sewn quilting.PERIOD: Early 20th CenturyORIGIN: Plateau - Unknown, Native AmericanSIZE: Ladies

  • Plateau Flat Bag, Native, Bag, Flat Bag

    Plateau Flat Bag

    $2,500

    Plateau made floral flat bag on pink background with black stroud backing and red stroud edging.10" x 12"PERIOD: Early 20th CenturyORIGIN: Plateau ...

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  • Plateau Flat Bag, Native, Bag, Flat Bag

    Plateau Flat Bag

    $2,000

    Plateau flat bag with yellow elk over white background. Edging and back in leather with flour sack lining. 9" x 11"PERIOD: Early 20th CenturyORIGIN...

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  • Sioux Doll, Native, Doll, Other

    Sioux Doll

    Current Price $450
    Original Price $900
    |
    50% off

    Sioux made doll of brain tanned deer hide and grandmothers hair. Beaded accessories and facial features. Made for own use.PERIOD: Early 20th Centur...

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  • Sioux Bead Strip, Native, Accessory, Blanket Strip

    Sioux Bead Strip

    $5,500

    Sioux bead strip. Sinew sewn on brain tanned hide with four rosettes each having thong drops ending in a bell. 59" x 4", 12" drops. Ex. Manuel Coll...

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  • Plateau Flat Bag, Native, Bag, Flat Bag

    Plateau Flat Bag

    $2,500

    Okateay beaded flat bag with stag, bird and leaf design on white background. Brain tanned edges and cloth backing. 8 1/2" x 10". Ex. Manuel Collect...

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  • Sioux Pipe Bag, Native, Bag, Pipe Bag

    Sioux Pipe Bag

    $6,500

    Sioux pipe bag of brain tanned deer skin, beaded panel, quilled slats, beaded double drop on one side ending in tin cones with feather fluffs, bead...

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  • Quilled Teepee Bag, Native, Bag, Teepee Bag

    Quilled Teepee Bag

    $15,000

    Antelope teepee bag with original quilling, beading, and tin cone drops. Antelope head in yellow quilling; ex Spalding/Sacajawea collection.PERIOD:...

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  • Plateau Pouch, Native, Bag, Pouch

    Plateau Pouch

    $900

    19th Century Plateau pouch on brain tanned hide with stylized design and beaded edging. Three brass buttons - one for closure, the other for decor....

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  • Doll/Infant Moccasins, Native, Garment, Moccasins

    Doll/Infant Moccasins

    $125

    Doll or infant moccasins. Soft soles, sinew sewn. 2 1/2"PERIOD: Early 20th CenturyORIGIN: Unknown, Native AmericanSIZE: 2 1/2"