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War shirt

ca. 1880
Not on view
This richly embellished garment, which embodies layers of spiritual and military meaning, would have been worn by a man of great stature on ceremonial occasions. The red ocher paint on the upper half represents an aspect of holy power. The rolled fringes made from ermine pelts hanging from the arms and chest, together with the human hair on the flaps at the neck, signify bravery and victory over the enemy.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: War shirt
  • Date: ca. 1880
  • Geography: Made in Montana, United States
  • Culture: Crow, Native American
  • Medium: Tanned leather, glass beads, pigment, wool cloth, ermine, human hair, and feathers
  • Dimensions: 41 × 59 7/8 in. (104.1 × 152.1 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of Native American Art, Gift of Valerie-Charles Diker Fund, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.718.6
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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