Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Antique NativeAmerican Leather BraidedSeamsStrapsNeckline Sleeveless Hide Dress

About the Item

This antique Native American brown chamois suede leather sleeveless chemise dress, which was handmade during the "reservation era" between 1870-1930, is made from two soft supple animal hides producing a slightly irregular hem length. In lieu of ornamentation with other organic materials, thin leather-strand whipcords are intricately braided to construct the threadless side seams, neckline, and shoulder straps, whose ends are knotted so they will not unravel. The minuscule holes for weaving the strands were likely made with a porcupine quill, as the beaver-like animal is indigenous to North American wooded areas. The neckline is a deep V-shape in the back where the shoulder straps are narrower. The tightly tied straps appear like they could be adjusted to suit large breasts or a longer torso. The size is comparable to a US 4, while it could also fit a larger size if body-shape has slim waist/hips. There are some natural imperfections in the soft hand-tanned leather, while it is in good condition to comfortably wear versus merely display. Given the small amount of decoration on this dress, it was a non-ceremonial piece made for and worn by a teenage Native American. Both women and men wore animal skin clothing in cooler weather, so this dress may also have been worn under a long-sleeve tunic/shawl/cape and over leggings. In the Western U.S., the Navajo and Hopi are known for their intricate leather braiding to artistically assemble objects, which can still be found in their contemporary jewelry such as for bolo ties or belts. The most similar antiques that we found at the National Museum of the American Indian were made circa 1909-1927 by the Kiowa, Washoe, Apache, Sioux, Plain Cree, Comanche, Ute, Warm Springs, Blackfoot, Nez Perce, Slavey, and Assiniboine. We obtained this dress from a non-Native- American owner, who bought it in the late-20th Century from a former Santa Fe-based antique dealer who specialized in American tribal objects. The East Coast collector had met the dealer after they were vetted for independent exhibition at the leading annual armory-located antique shows in New York City. We have found similar dresses with far less intricate braided decoration, as well as in poor condition, that are sold by Americana specialists for upwards of $12,000 at more than three times our price. Like the 20th-Century couture and fine fashion that we offer, this handmade dress in a timeless style is likely to increase in value if kept in good condition.
  • Dimensions:
    Marked Size: 4 (US)
  • Style:
    Native American, western fringe (In the Style Of)
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3244220144102

More From This Seller

View All
Couture 1990s LingerieLike EyelashLace Silk Red & Black Evening Sheath Dress
Located in Chicago, IL
This couture lace transparent red-and-black floral-pattern silk sleeveless evening midi dress, with an eyelash-lace boatneck and hem, is constructed with torso tucks above and below ...
Category

1990s American Evening Dresses

CommeDesGarcons 1999 RunwayLook12 BiasCut TranslucentSatin SalmonPink Maxi Dress
By Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons
Located in Chicago, IL
Rei Kawakubo designed this translucent salmon-pink bias-cut satin sleeveless maxi dress evening gown for her brand Comme des Garcons, which debuted on a model at Paris Fall Fashion Week as "Look 12" among the Vogue photo-coverage of her Spring/Summer 2000 collection (see our last photo of the ensemble). The unusual V-neck shape creates a deep central drape in the front of the unlined dress that prevents the synthetic semi-transparent fabric from clinging to the torso. To continue to flatter the curvy shape of the lower body like the bias-cut enables, such as while walking, Kawakubo added an additional piece of fabric with a circling angular seam that rises from the wider hem. With the exception of the brand tag, all others were cut off by the sole owner to eliminate bulk and visibility through the dress. If the buyer would prefer, the fabric can be made shinier and completely smooth with professional pressing. If the buyer would like to create a layered ensemble with this gown as seen on the runway, we have other textural colorful tops to choose from with over-dyed unique appliques from this same Spring/Summer 2000 collection. However, we think our backless-mannequin photos show that this minimal dress...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Evening Gowns

StellaMcCartney 2003 Runway Silk Satin Print Zip Jacket OffShoulder Bubble Dress
By Stella McCartney
Located in Chicago, IL
Arguable the most significant design in the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2003 collection--since our versatile garment debuted in different colors on the runway and was worn by the British designer to take her fashion-show bow--this pink-printed dark-grey silk-blend zip-front bubble-shaped mini dress with white-satin stripes and pink piping was a favorite of the show's Vogue critic and her father Beatles co-founder Paul McCarthy. Vogue wrote: "Her hippest new idea came in the form of puffy satin bombers--she transformed one, a fusion of sport and chinoiserie print, into an off-the-shoulder bubble dress. McCartney is so into the glam-bomber idea, in fact, that she bounded onto the runway wearing a black version herself." The garment's voluminous batwing sleeves and stretch-cotton ribbed neckline and hem, plus custom golden-charm two-way zipper, enable it to have two different necklines and lengths to convert to a shorter puffier bomber jacket. Notably, the versatile piece that is subtly printed with mock-Beatles lyrics seems to have been the first tribute fashion-design that McCartney created to reference her father. Prior, she had credited her stylish mother Linda for instilling her with a love of fashion and inspiration for her initial namesake collections, which followed her first commercial collections with Phoebe Philo for Chloe. For background, when McCartney was a young girl in 1978, the mock-rock band The Rutles parodied a Beatles song, which was recorded by EMI as "Ging, Gang, Goolie". Given its lyrics, the chinoiserie-style dragon motifs were substituted by McCartney with bird skeletons...
Category

Early 2000s British Mini Dress

Couture LingerieLike Beaded Silk Cutwork Balenciaga Style 2000s Black Vest Apron
Located in Chicago, IL
This couture lingerie-like spaghetti-strapped black silk-satin apron vest--with extraordinary graphic cutwork featuring a heavily hand-beaded breast-plate and appliques--was custom made by a young designer for a New York City female...
Category

Early 2000s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses

1980s VictorCosta GatheredRuched RedSatin BlackVelvet LongSlit Formal Maxi Gown
By Victor Costa
Located in Chicago, IL
For a formal special event, this 1980s maxi dress sleeveless gown by American designer Victor Costa features glamorous glossy red satin that is gathered, ruched and topstitched in bo...
Category

1980s American Maxi Dress

OscarDeLaRenta 1982 MuseumShown Handpainted Floral Abstract CrepeDeChine Caftan
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Chicago, IL
U.S.-based Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) for Spring 1982 created a number of styles of bold vibrant uniquely-handpainted crepe-de-chine caftans that helped define his five-decade fas...
Category

1980s American Caftans

You May Also Like

Mariano Fortuny Sienna Peplos Gown
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
This dress is made of finely pleated sienna colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos

Mariano Fortuny Claret Delphos. Provenance Tina Chow
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
This dress is made of finely pleated claret colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The beads are amber glass with...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns

Mariano Fortuny Rare Shell Pink Long Sleeved Delphos Gown
By Fortuny
Located in Riverdale, NY
Description: This dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns

DION LEE Size 2 Nude Polyamide Eastane Body-Con Mini Dress
By Dion Lee
Located in San Francisco, CA
DION LEE mini dress comes in nude polyamide and elastane mesh knit material featuring corset dress design, back zip up closure, and spaghetti strap.New with Tags. Marked: 6 Mea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses

JUST CAVALLI Size 2 Beige Brown Viscose Blend Marbled Long Sleeve Dress
By Just Cavalli
Located in San Francisco, CA
JUST CAVALLI dress comes in a beige & brown marbled viscose blend featuring a pleated style, v-neck, slit pockets, and a side zipper closure. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked:...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses

ETRO Size 12 Taupe Black Mixed Patterns Drawstring Dress
By Etro
Located in San Francisco, CA
ETRO dress comes in a taupe & black cotton blend with mixed patterns featuring a waist drawstring, elastic hem, and a v-neck. Made in Italy. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Light wear...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses

Recently Viewed

View All