248

Ca. 1870 Central Plains Men's Hairpipe Breastplate

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Ca. 1870 Central Plains Men's Hairpipe Breastplate
The lot features a stunning circa 1870-1880 Central Plains men’s warrior bone hairpipe breastplate with quillwork medallion from the ex-collection sale of Robert P. Jerich, Illinois Cowan’s September 2020 auction. The piece is constructed of two vertical rows of 96 wonderfully carved bone hairpipe (hair pipe) beads which are separated using old trade harness saddle leather spacers and brass beads; strung using Indian hide thongs coated with yellow ocher / ochre mineral pigment paint. The center of the breast plate shows a fully porcupine quill quilled rawhide medallion and the top has brass trade beads on Indian hide ties. Truly a stunning Indian Wars era men’s warrior example with fantastic honest patina. Provenance: From the ex-collection / sale of Robert P. Jerich, Illinois sold in Cowan’s September 2020 sale; and a prominent Bozeman, Montana collection. Body measures 17.25-inches in length by 11-inches wide without ties or fringes.