Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1168:
Description
A beautiful example of a Native American beaded belt or sash, reflecting the aesthetic and construction style of Wampum belts historically used by the Iroquois Confederacy or other Eastern Woodlands tribes, though this piece appears to be a 19th to early 20th-century revival or tourist item utilizing seed beads rather than traditional shell beads. The backing is velvet upon which the glass seed beads—primarily white, dark blue/black, and rust-red—are painstakingly woven in a striking geometric and floral pattern. The design features a repeating, stylized rosette or eight-pointed star motif framed by scroll-like elements, consistent with styles that blended traditional symbols with European design influences. The item’s condition shows significant evidence of age and wear, most notably a major wear in the center, which has resulted in a discontinuity in the pattern and beadwork. The velvet backing is darkened and worn, particularly around the tear, and there is also minor bead loss visible along the edges and surface. The ends are tapered or pointed, characteristic of traditional belt construction. H 20.5″, W 1.75″. From the Native American display in Donley’s Wild West Town.
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