This is an excellent fully beaded on both sides cape/vest or breast plate attributed to the Blackfoot Native American Indians of Northern Montana, dating to circa 1890. The piece shows a trade tent canvas construction with calico trade cloth backing completely covered on the front and back in all period correct 19th Century glass trade seed beads in a geometric pattern. The beadwork shows colors of sky padre blue with other colors of semi-transparent blue, red, faceted cobalt, iridescent faceted, semi-transparent amber, faceted red, and more. The top shows a black trade cloth piped edge with trade cloth and hide ties. The bottom edge of both sides shows a long, beautiful fringe that consists of thicker cotton trade thread with faceted trade beads and wound glass opaque beads, along with small brass trade bells and round mother of pearl or abalone bead disks that are dyed blue, red/pink, natural, and darker. The piece is constructed of trade thread and has various repairs, bead loss spots, and fringe loss, but it displays very well, overall. This is truly a fantastic example from a Montana collection. The vest measures 18 1/2" wide by 19" tall.

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