Dress c. 1870
kaigwukiowa
tribal design
natural stone pattern
dark clothe
graphic tshirt
fashion and textile design
folk art
hand-embroidered
united-states
textile design
beaded
layered pattern
dress
This Kiowa dress, made around 1870, is a striking example of Native American artistry. Crafted from leather and adorned with intricate beadwork, the dress features a vibrant yellow cape with fringed edges and red tassels. The lower portion of the dress showcases a more intricate design, with green beaded patterns and multiple layers of fringe. This garment exemplifies the craftsmanship and cultural significance of clothing among the Kiowa people.
Comments
This dress, stitched together from four brain-tanned deer hides, was made by a Kiowa woman artist for a particular person, most likely a close relative. The maker of the dress maintained the forms of the deer within the garment—the finishing tabs on the skirt and arms are from the deer’s legs, investing the wearer with the swiftness and grace of the animals themselves. Hundreds of tin cones are stitched in rows in the middle of the skirt and along the bottom tabs. They acted like bells or chimes; when the wearer of this dress moved, she was accompanied by music. Finely cut fringe finishes the dress, each piece individually applied by the maker.
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