The Top 300! - Spring Classic Part 2
Lot 249:
Description
A fantastic, museum-quality mannequin display, meticulously dressed in the style of a Plains Native American chief, from the 101 Ranch Wild West Show. The 101 Ranch was a massive, highly diversified operation in Oklahoma, and its Wild West Show, which ran from 1907 until the early 1930s, was one of the largest and most famous rivals to Buffalo Bill’s. The show was known for featuring authentic Native American performers from tribes like the Ponca, Pawnee, and Cheyenne, and even featured the Apache warrior Geronimo in its early years. The garments themselves—the full feather headdress with red fabric and beaded accents, the long hair pipe breastplate, beaded bone chokers, and a hide shirt and pants—are a classic representation of the idealized “show Indian” attire popularized by these spectacles. While the headdress and regalia are a composite of materials that evoke genuine Plains beadwork and accessories, in the context of a Wild West Show display, the clothing often followed a visual formula for dramatic impact rather than strict tribal accuracy. This association with one of the Big Three Wild West shows (Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, and 101 Ranch) significantly enhances its auction interest. Overall condition is excellent for a display piece; the garments and accessories show light, consistent wear appropriate for their display age, with no major tears or visible material loss. The painted features of the mannequin’s face and hands are intact, and the beaded work remains vibrant. Includes feathered pipe and photo and placard that it was on display with in the Indian display at Donley’s Wild West Museum. H 7′, W 24″, D 14″
Note: Pickup/Transport required. Contacts available post auction.
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