A Tremendous Upper Missouri/Hidatsa Male Doll w/ Quilled Pictorials & Beads 1880

Description

A truly stunning example of a circa 1880 male doll figure with elaborate quillwork designs on the front and back of his frock style coat. The doll measures 13" in height. There are horse stealing tracks, salamander/lizards, crosses, and pipes adorning the coat. The coat has fine fringe work on the sleeves, around the neck, and at the bottom of the coat. The edges of the coat have a border lining of a thin antelope (?) hide that has substantially work away. HIs full length leggings have some beaded rings around the ankle area, and some red paint adorning the side seam going up the back of the fringed edge. He has fully beaded moccasins as well. His buffalo hair has thinned some, and shows the remnants of a braided pony tail. The inner lining of the doll is an old polka dot print muslin trade cloth. There is a elaborate quilled hair drop the belongs on his braided pony tail that needs to be re-attached, and it also has several fine cone tinklers. It is temporarily being held in place by a paper clip wall hanging device the old collector had put in place to hang the doll from the wall. Overal condition is very good for a 140 year old relic.
This is a serious piece of antique Plains craftwork that is truly museum quality. Superb patina, and fresh from a large Denver Native American estate collection. Feel free to ask questions or ask for additional photographs. Fixed shipping cost includes insurance.