Gift of Daniel R. Anthony III and Eleanor Anthony Tenney, 50-73/46 The Plains peoples' love for their children is vividly demonstrated in the care lavished upon special clothing intended to be worn during ceremonial occasions, parades and celebrations. Such garments also signified wealth and prestige. The bold geometric designs of this heavily beaded boy's shirt were derived from those commonly painted on Crow rawhide containers, or parfleches, demonstrating that a common language of design was sometimes expressed in more than one medium. Among the Crow, the diamond was often associated with the lizard, which was regarded as a talisman.
Gift of Daniel R. Anthony III and Eleanor Anthony Tenney
ca. 1880
Native leather, glass beads, muslin and cotton cloth
41.9 x 77.5cm
50-73/46
Image and text © The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 2018
Where you'll find this
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Permanent collection