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Athabascan Hannah Solomon Beaded Baby Belt

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,800.00 USD
Athabascan Hannah Solomon Beaded Baby Belt
This is an original Athabascan / Athabaskan beaded baby belt papoose “baby strap” attributed to Hannah Solomon of Fort Yukon, Alaska by Dan Paynich of Great Falls, Montana. The belt shows Indian tanned moose hide construction with fantastic colorful floral beadwork, done in glass trade pony and seed beads in classic Hannah Solomon pattern. The bottom edge shows beaded fringes with bright Germantown style yarn tassels. Known as the tl’ôot’aii “baby strap”, the baby belt was typically created by the grandmother like saying "Welcome into our rich culture". The belt supports a young child as she rides on the mother's back. This Gwich'in style belt shows a square style belt loop with medium ties. Also called a Tl‘ôot’aii is “baby strap" or Ts’uhneegaanh tl’ool "baby string". This is a full size, large belt. For reference see the late-20th Century Hannah Solomon Athabascan Beaded Baby Belt which sold for $7,130 (shown w/ bp) in June 2022 by Alaska Premier Auctions. Provenance: From the Dan Paynich Great Falls, Montana ex-collection, who noted the belt as being purchased by him from Hannah Solomon. Belt is not marked as such, but is attributed. Good condition with little to no bead loss. The beads on the hanging fringes are mainly plastic or resin. Measures overall 88”L from end to end of ties and 16”W from top of belt to bottom of yarn fringes, belt itself is 40.5”W by 3.5”W. Total weight of 14 oz.