Help understanding Plains beadwork design

July 16, 2015 5:57 AM

Hi all. Long shot, but - I saw this design in the Garst Museum in Ohio, where the Annie Oakley collection is kept. The design is worked onto a pair of leather gauntlets. The label said that the gloves had been a gift from Sitting Bull; it's possible, but also might be apocryphal. I'm interested in quoting the design in an art project, but before I do, would like to know whether anyone recognizes the motif or knows its associations.

What's interesting is that I can't easily find similar designs on other Plains beadwork. I've searched online through reverse image search and also looked through some catalogs of beadwork motifs. It could be interpreted as anything from a blossom or sprout to fire or an explosion of sparks to shooting stars to trickles of blood. I've written to the museum but they haven't responded. Would love any help or resources you might share.

posted by Miko to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

I'm familiar with Plains beadwork. It would be very helpful to see more of the overall beadwork design of the gauntlet rather than just that detail, but it just looks like a floral design to me. It also looks possibly more Great Lakes or Dakota ("Eastern Sioux") or Metis, rather than typical Lakota, but again I'm just guessing, as seeing the overall design would again be more helpful in that regard. If it did belong to Sitting Bull (and it is possible, since people gave him lots of stuff), it could have come from anywhere, not necessarily from a Plains maker.
posted by gudrun at 6:09 AM on July 16, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: It would be very helpful to see more of the overall beadwork design of the gauntlet

That's the entire design. The rest of the gauntlet is plain leather.

Thanks!
posted by Miko at 6:29 AM on July 16, 2015

Response by poster: Here is a picture of the full gauntlet for reference.
posted by Miko at 6:33 AM on July 16, 2015

Still just looks floral to me, but I will show the photos to a Lakota friend and ask her what she thinks.
posted by gudrun at 6:36 AM on July 16, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks so very much. As soon as you said "floral" I started looking at the shorter line of horizontal dashes as a ground, and the green stalks as stems with white flowers that have red centers. Basically, like daisies. I don't have the experienced eye to compare it with other Plains (or Great Lakes) motifs but I really appreciate your response.
posted by Miko at 8:57 AM on July 16, 2015

My Lakota friend says a floral design (yes, the green stalks as stems, and white flowers with red centers), and not Lakota/Sioux made. Check your memail for a bit more info.
posted by gudrun at 2:10 PM on July 16, 2015 [1 favorite]