CHEYENNE 1870'S WAR SHIRT, FRINGED ELK OR DEER HIDE

Native Brain Tanned Hide Poncho-style Shirt having traces of green paint, with panels of buffalo hide having worn opalescent glass beading in bear claw design, (Venetian source), later used as a parade shirt, decorated with red and white hearts, green and greasy yellow, cobalt blue and white in pony beads. 16" fringe on arms. Front and back triangle yokes in beaded red trade cloth. Orange dyed horsehair drops at shoulders. Self hide fringe at bottom of shirt. Warriors earned the right to be 'shirt-wearers' through brave deeds, which were recorded in the beadwork. Never traded by their owners, great warriors might have more than one shirt, but typically one was used for a lifetime. 17" shoulder, 30" long.Documents in binder, no documents of provenance.$65,000 receipt from Sherwoods Spirit of America, Santa Fe, NM, Michael Kokin's shop.