Flathead War Shirt

Ex. Colorado professor’s collection. On buffalo This shirt belonged to a flathead chief or elder named Red Owl. There are two Edward Curtis photographs of Red Owl wearing the shirt. The shirt has the early poncho style cut. for when they were predominantly on horseback. The Flathead tribe is located in Western Montana between Missoula and Fathead Lake. The upper half of the shirt is painted with natural green pigment, most likely pond scum. There are wonderful beaded strips in blue and pink beads: the strips run along the arms, and on the back and front of the shirt. There are rectangular beaded bibs on the front and back of the shirt. The shirt is further decorated with red stroud wrapped winter phase ermine and human scalp locks. The quality, condition and provenance are excellent: this is an important piece.