This ceremonial shirt dates back to the 1840s. Made in the old poncho style, it is richly decorated.
When such objects are acquired by museums they are catalogued and described in exhaustive detail. The following description suggests the tremendous variety of materials which the Blackfoot exploited in their crafts.
Made from two tanned deer or antelope skins. Quillwork bands bordered by deep turquoise-blue pony beads are attached to each sleeve end, the other at right angles over shoulder. Quills are applied in zigzag-band technique. Large rosettes quilled in band technique on skin discs are sewn to centre front and back. Bands of red stroud with white, blue and green glass beadwork are attached at neck. Painted decoration of parallel lines in dark brown against a yellow background. Locks of dark-brown and yellow horsehair, each bound at base with pericardium and white quills and attached to a thong strung with a large blue glass bead, are fastened along edge of quilled band on one sleeve; down the other sleeve, tassels are of twisted ermine skin bound at base with red stroud and pericardium, and similarly strung with thongs and blue beads. Sewn with sinew. Quill colours are yellow, red, orange, white and blue; brown maidenhair fern is also used.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada
