Authentic, handmade, Nez Perce, buckskin, beaded, ceremonial dress, made by V. Morris, a native Nez Perce woman born in 1900. Beautiful, detailed beadwork in colors of pink, robin's egg blue, cornflower blue, red and black with hunter green and yellow beading on fringe around the chest and back of the dress. Dress is adorned with traditional abalone conch shell in center of beadwork on reverse and has an abundance of long fringe trim. Approximately 50-52" length (measured from neckline to bottom of dress) and 45" from top edge of sleeve to sleeve. Dress was made c1940s. A photo of the dressmaker, V. Morris, wearing a similar dress she made at age 79 appears here, but the original photograph was returned to the family. Excellent condition, considering age. Dress has been worn by 4 generations of Nez Perce women in the dressmaker's lineage. Some wear to buckskin is apparent and dress has some minor mending. Please examine photos carefully for condition. Beadwork is complete and perfect, no missing fringe.
Another photograph of this Nez Perce dressmaker is published online by the National Park Service (NPS.gov) accompanying an article entitled WOMEN'S HISTORY IN THE PACIFIC WEST written by Ellie Kaplan from which the following excerpt is taken:
"In 1966 The National Park Service (NPS) hired two NimÌipuu woman, (V. Morris and Ida Blackeagle) as Cultural Demonstrators at the new Nez Perce National Historic Park; they were the first people to hold that job title across the NPS. They were also two of only a handful of NimÌipuu employees initially hired at the Nez Perce park. As Cultural Demonstrators, Blackeagle and Morris did beadwork, weaving, and other craftwork in front of visitors. Their work asserted a NimÌipuu identity that stressed the resiliency of cultural traditions even in the face of significant ongoing changes."
This dress is an incredible example of authentic Nez Perce culture and heritage, with a solid provenance from a direct descendent of well-known Nez Perce craftswoman.