curved collar with two front downward-hanging tabs; feathers stitched to off-white cotton cloth backing overall; triangular motifs; background of cream and brown spotted feathers; brown, golden brown, spotted brown and white, iridescent blue-green and iridescent green, brown and yellow feathers

Cape, c. 1850

Not on Viewexpand_more

This cape is an example of the frequent and enduring exchange with other cultures, both Native and non-Native, that in part shapes Native art. At the start of the 1800s, Native peoples experienced countless changes to their way of life. This feathered cape combines European-style clothing with Native needs and aesthetics. It resembles a pelerine, a type of shoulder cape worn by women in Europe and the United States, yet feathered capes were used as regalia in Native American communities before European settlement.

Details
Title
Cape
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2008.64
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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curved collar with two front downward-hanging tabs; feathers stitched to off-white cotton cloth backing overall; triangular motifs; background of cream and brown spotted feathers; brown, golden brown, spotted brown and white, iridescent blue-green and iridescent green, brown and yellow feathers