INDIAN WAR ERA PLAINS INDIAN PAINTED PICTORIAL ROBE.

INDIAN WAR ERA PLAINS INDIAN PAINTED PICTORIAL ROBE. This particular robe measures approximately 100 x 90″, seems to be a witness to history “Buffalo robes were worn with a great deal of pride. They, are somewhat like Winter Counts, a record of time. Winter Counts being, a Tribal calendar for a longer period of time. Some robes were referred to as Exploit Robes, which was a record of an event in an individual’s life, and sometimes was a record of an exploit or vision. There were also Abstract Robes, which often depicted a central war bonnet and may have included addition elements and smaller or partial war bonnets, and an event. These events, can and do include combat scenes, hunting exploits, tribes of a federation and other motifs. Other examples may include geometric art, keeping the utilitarian perspective of the Indian in mind, it is not easy to determine their original meaning. Hunting scenes are a little more discernible, but not with authority. This particular robe, measuring approximately 100″ x 92″ seems to be a witness to history, maybe a roving head of buffalo, in a time that buffalo were plentiful, or maybe a representation of an actual hunt or a dream of such a hunt. It may be surmised that the hunt took place in a cooler season, as the hunters are wearing leggins’ and shirts. Summer and spring hunts would most likely find the hunters’ legs bare. The hunters also wear leggins’ of blue and red stroud, (wool), which was prevalent at that time and traded commonly to the mid Plains and high Plains Indians. Their headdresses are quite similar to the tribes common to the area, Blackfeet, Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapahos, to mention a few. The shield carried by one hunter is green, a color used often by the Sioux and Cheyenne on shields. Early examples, prior to 1840, featured less colors and more simplistic depictions. Most were brain tanned, as is this one. Painted robes in their earliest form were painted in one color, brown. As time passed, a second color emerged which was white. It was produced initially as a clear glue like substance, that turned white as it cured. Additional colors were incorporated as the pigments were developed from various plants and animals, and other organic mixtures. This robe dates to the last quarter of the 19th Century. This example incorporates more detail in its figures than the stick elements seen in earlier robes. The color pallet expanded much more after the 19th century and commercial colors replaced the earlier pigments utilized on this robe. The patina, stemming form a great deal of use, is excellent throughout the entire robe. Painted pictorial period buffalo robes are an appreciating art form, not only for their cultural material and aesthetic qualities, but also for their scarcity. Mishandling, improper care and their organic basis, has dealt a sever blow to the number of examples available. Robes from the 19th century don’t have a great survival rate, especially supple examples.” This robe contains 21 figures of mounted Indians and buffaloes along with central figures of war bonnets. A Northern Plains painted robe with a very similar color palette is on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, dated 1875 but with only nine figures. PROVENANCE: Orby Horn Family; Kelly Chestnut. CONDITION: This skin is very good and sound overall though there is one area of damage to lower left quadrant which has been irregularly trimmed as can be seen in photos. Skin has several small holes cut or worn; a couple probably made from arrows from where the animal was killed. As noted the skin is still quite supple, though soiled overall and areas of lost hair as can be expected after 125 years. Painted figures are all quite discernible as can be seen in photos. 4-42708 JS163 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2244	$0.00	INDIAN WAR ERA PLAINS INDIAN PAINTED PICTORIAL ROBE. This particular robe measures approximately 100 x 90″, seems to be a witness to history “Buffalo robes were worn with a great deal of pride. They, are somewhat like Winter Counts, a record of time. Winter Counts being, a Tribal calendar for a longer period of time. Some robes were referred to as Exploit Robes, which was a record of an event in an individual’s life, and sometimes was a record of an exploit or vision. There were also Abstract Robes, which often depicted a central war bonnet and may have included addition elements and smaller or partial war bonnets, and an event. These events, can and do include combat scenes, hunting exploits, tribes of a federation and other motifs. Other examples may include geometric art, keeping the utilitarian perspective of the Indian in mind, it is not easy to determine their original meaning. Hunting scenes are a little more discernible, but not with authority. This particular robe, measuring approximately 100″ x 92″ seems to be a witness to history, maybe a roving head of buffalo, in a time that buffalo were plentiful, or maybe a representation of an actual hunt or a dream of such a hunt. It may be surmised that the hunt took place in a cooler season, as the hunters are wearing leggins’ and shirts. Summer and spring hunts would most likely find the hunters’ legs bare. The hunters also wear leggins’ of blue and red stroud, (wool), which was prevalent at that time and traded commonly to the mid Plains and high Plains Indians. Their headdresses are quite similar to the tribes common to the area, Blackfeet, Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapahos, to mention a few. The shield carried by one hunter is green, a color used often by the Sioux and Cheyenne on shields. Early examples, prior to 1840, featured less colors and more simplistic depictions. Most were brain tanned, as is this one. Painted robes in their earliest form were painted in one color, brown. As time passed, a second color emerged which was white. It was produced initially as a clear glue like substance, that turned white as it cured. Additional colors were incorporated as the pigments were developed from various plants and animals, and other organic mixtures. This robe dates to the last quarter of the 19th Century. This example incorporates more detail in its figures than the stick elements seen in earlier robes. The color pallet expanded much more after the 19th century and commercial colors replaced the earlier pigments utilized on this robe. The patina, stemming form a great deal of use, is excellent throughout the entire robe. Painted pictorial period buffalo robes are an appreciating art form, not only for their cultural material and aesthetic qualities, but also for their scarcity. Mishandling, improper care and their organic basis, has dealt a sever blow to the number of examples available. Robes from the 19th century don’t have a great survival rate, especially supple examples.” This robe contains 21 figures of mounted Indians and buffaloes along with central figures of war bonnets. A Northern Plains painted robe with a very similar color palette is on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, dated 1875 but with only nine figures. PROVENANCE: Orby Horn Family; Kelly Chestnut. CONDITION: This skin is very good and sound overall though there is one area of damage to lower left quadrant which has been irregularly trimmed as can be seen in photos. Skin has several small holes cut or worn; a couple probably made from arrows from where the animal was killed. As noted the skin is still quite supple, though soiled overall and areas of lost hair as can be expected after 125 years. Painted figures are all quite discernible as can be seen in photos. 4-42708 JS163 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}