Blanket strip

Blanket strips cover the seam of two sewn-together halves of a bison hide, often used for men’s robes. Born of utility, the strips themselves became symbolic objects. Plains and Plateau men wore them on robes with or without seams, and they later appeared on trade blankets. The rosettes of this rare Plateau strip are constructed of quill-wrapped horsehair.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Blanket strip
  • Date: ca. 1850
  • Geography: Possibly made in Idaho, United States; Possibly made in Oregon, United States; Possibly made in Washington, United States
  • Culture: Niimíipuu / Nez Perce , Native American
  • Medium: Tanned leather, glass beads, horsehair, porcupine quills, dye, wool cloth, and brass bells
  • Dimensions: 63 × 5 1/2 in. (160 × 14 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of Native American Art, Gift of Charles and Valerie Diker, 2018
  • Object Number: 2018.867.8
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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