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Apsaalooke Crow Elk Teeth Dress 1900-1950's

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:175.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Apsaalooke Crow Elk Teeth Dress 1900-1950's
The lot features a circa early- to mid-1900’s elk tooth beaded dress and leggings from a Montana Crow Apsaalooke Native American Indian girl. The dress shows dark blue and red stroud, early thick trade cloth with floral calico trade cloth for the inside lining. The dress shows an adorned collar with chalk white glass trade seed beads and the entire body, front, back, and arms of the piece are covered in approximately 87 imitation Rocky Mountain Elk Teeth. The elk teeth are a hard surface, thought to be porcelain or ceramic, with an antiqued finish. To the eye and touch, they appear to be authentic Elk Teeth, but they are likely a very finely crafted imitation with varying shapes and castings. The teeth are sewn with hide strips. The piece comes with a Cowans Auction tag and was said to be purchased from one of their American Indian sales many years ago. The dress is paired with a set of leg cuffs, also done in trade cloth stroud with a patterned calico trade cloth lining and finished with chalk white seed trade beads and abalone buttons on the front and a geometric beadwork pattern on the rear in colors of maroon and green. This is truly a unique early girls dress originating from the Montana Crow Indians. It is in good overall condition, showing some slight bead and thread loss. The dress measures 17” W by 15” L and the leggings are 7” L by 8” W when laid open.