Skip to main content
Object Number 99-12-10/53041
Display Title Biographical war shirt
Descriptions
Object Description Pictographic, biographical deer hide war shirt ornamented with bundles of hair (human and horse), hide fringe, quillwork, and beadwork. Exemplifies the early "binary" poncho style made by lacing two separate hides together at the shoulders. Semi-abstract painted images on the front and back celebrate war exploits. A circular central image filled with dots and surrounded by "ball-headed" radiating lines may represent a battle site, while ambiguous "quirt/man" figures may be defeated enemies. See also Notes and Histories - Conservation Notes.
Inventory Description Shirt, painted pictographic design, fringed, quillwork, beadwork, hair deco
Classification
  • Shirt
Department Ethnographic
Date ca. 1780-1825
Culture
  • Mandan
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
North America / United States
Additional Geographic Terms Upper Missouri River
Dimensions Overall: 121 x 77 x 32 cm (47 5/8 x 30 5/16 x 12 5/8 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 53041
Credit Line Gift of the Heirs of David Kimball, 1899
Provenance
Owner David Kimball (Unknown - 1873)
Owner Peale Museum (Unknown - Unknown)
Collector William Clark (Unknown - Unknown)
Collector Lt. George Christian Hutter (Unknown - Unknown)
Collector Meriwether Lewis (Unknown - Unknown)
Donor David Kimball
Donor Augusta K. Horton
Donor L. Cushing Kimball

Important Note about Historical Language

Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.

PrimaryMedia Object Number Title Classification Geography/Provenience SHARE
Media Restricted
985-27-10/60155 War Shirt
Shirt
United States
Media Restricted
90-17-10/49309 Man's buck-skin shirt
Shirt
United States
Media Restricted
18-11-10/87317 Buckskin shirt ornamented with quill work
Shirt
Raw Material
Shaft, modified
North Dakota
War shirt, 'o' ka day's pa tah' he'
12-48-10/84299 War shirt, 'o' ka day's pa tah' he'
Raw Material
Shirt
North America
Sioux war shirt. Painted in blue and red.
985-27-10/60238 Sioux war shirt. Painted in blue and red.
Raw Material
Shirt
United States
War shirt (99-12-10/53041)
2004.24.34924.2 War shirt (99-12-10/53041)
Photographic
North America
War shirt back (99-12-10/53041)
2004.24.34924.1 War shirt back (99-12-10/53041)
Photographic
North America
Media Restricted
90-17-10/49308 Indian buckskin shirt
Shirt
Raw Material
Shaft, modified
North America
Media Restricted
99-12-10/53104.3 Bladder bag
Pouch
United States
Media Restricted
985-27-10/60237 Shirt made from 2 wolf skins
Shirt
United States
Media Restricted
985-27-10/60239 Shirt
Shirt
United States
Media Restricted
985-27-10/60235 Cheyenne war shirt
Shirt
United States