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19th Century Plains Indian Silver Banded Top Hat

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:350.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
19th Century Plains Indian Silver Banded Top Hat
The lot features an antique 19th century Franken's stove pipe top hat with a 19th century trade silver Plains Indian hat band. The inside of the hat is marked, "Franken's Central Hat Emporium 288 Central Ave - Near 8th St. Cincinnati, O." The old trade silver hat band shows a flat bottom with curved crown like top band. The entire piece shows hand rocker engraved design in classic primitive style, similar to other early Plains Indian silverwork. The back of the crown is tied with modern sinew like strands, likely a preservation tactic by a previous collector. The hat itself has some cracking and loss to the felt / beaver or fabric. Truly a fantastic set. Provenance: From the Robert Dickens aka "Little Blue Hand" collection from Chicago, Illinois and Livingston, Montana. Hat itself measures 6 7/8"H by 10.5" by 8". The band itself is about 21.5"L which doesn't include the 1.25"W opening, the band is also about 2" at its widest.