Native American, Western United States, Plains Tribes, Sioux, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A stunning pair of leather gauntlet gloves decorated with outstanding glass beading. This pair are a tanned hide construction - hand-sewn full fingers, with a flared forearm cuff coverings and leather fringe tassels. The petite seed shape trade beads are hand stitched in vibrant hues of red, blue, green, yellow, pink, cobalt, white, and black to create a mounted warrior in a long feather headdress on a black horse, sewn onto both upward facing and underside of the leather. The back of the hand includes another mounted warrior on a blue and white pinto horse and the beadwork extends down the length of each finger forming concentric rings or bull's eye patterns. This pair is incredibly well preserved and lined with a red cotton on the cuff interior. Size: 18" L x 6" W (45.7 cm x 15.2 cm)

The United States Cavalry riders wore gauntlet gloves as part of their uniform, introducing the clothing style to plains tribes who turned the gloves into spectacular works of art with painstaking beadwork. As skilled horsemen, Sioux and other plains tribes took great pride in their horses and often wore symbols that celebrated their warrior and rider status, such as these gauntlets. Western cowboys and rodeo performers adopted the beaded gauntlets made by Native People into their fancy wear.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#168721

Staining and discoloration on both as expected with age and use. Leather is soft and supple. Losses to a few beads in some areas, but beading threads are intact and secure. Overall excellent and well preserved. Not recommended for wearing.