Summer costume

Unrecorded Gwich’in artist First Nations or Native American
ca. 1880
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
This costume may be a commissioned work based on an earlier style of Gwich’in dress; by the time a British army officer collected the ensemble in the 1880s, European-style clothing predominated in Gwich’in territory. The discrete ornamentation is made in the old style with folded porcupine quills, which are remarkably well preserved.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Summer costume
  • Artist: Unrecorded Gwich’in artist
  • Date: ca. 1880
  • Geography: Canada, Northwest Territories, possibly Fort MacPherson
  • Culture: Gwich'in
  • Medium: Tanned caribou hide, porcupine quills, sinew, aniline dyes, wool, elaeagnus seeds, ochre
  • Dimensions: Hood (a): H.19 × W. 11 in. (48.3 × 27.9 cm)
    Tunic (b): H. 46 × W. 30 in. (116.8 × 76.2 cm)
    Trousers (c): H. 41 × W. 18 in. (104.1 × 45.7 cm)
    Knife case (d; sheath only): H. 16 x W. 4 in. (40.6 cm)
    Mittens (e): H. 10 × W. 5 1/2 in. (25.4 × 14 cm)
  • Classification: Hide-Costumes
  • Credit Line: Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY (T0237a-e)
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing