Crow Indian Beadwork: A Descriptive and Historical Study

by William Wildschut, John Canfield Ewers

A comprehensive study of the beadwork of the Crow Indian Nation from 1805 to contemporary times. Between 1907 and 1916 Dr. Robert H. Lowie made repeated visits to the Crow Agency Reservation to study their traditional customs and, as a result, published the first paper on Crow Indian beadwork. Based on this research, in 1918 William Wildschut began to collect specimens for the Heye Foundation. His work went far beyond merely collecting specimens. He asked questions from his Crow associates and in 1927 produced a manuscript for the Heye in which he concluded that "true Crow beadwork was not borrowed from the neighboring Western Sioux, nor from any other Tribe. It possessed a distinctive character of its own." In 1957, Dr. John C. Ewers, a truly enjoyable expert, made further inquiries and this book was produced providing an illustrated description and history of Crow Indian Beadwork from the time of its first mention by the fur trader, Francois Larouque, in 1805. Included are sections on Men's Dress Clothing (Shirts, Leggings, Feather Bonnets, Vests, Gauntlets, and Feather Fans); Women's Dress Clothing (Dresses, Leggings and Belts); Robes and Blankets; Moccasins; Riding Gear (Saddles, Head Ornaments, Horse Collars, Cruppers and Saddle Blankets); Containers (Saddle Bags, Quivers, Gun Cases, Sword and Lance Cases, Cradles, Belt Pouches, Ration Ticket Pouches, Mirror Pouches, and Pipe and Tobacco Pouches); Characteristics of Crow Indian Beadwork (Beadwork Techniques, Beadwork Designs, and Bead Colors); Symbolism in Crow Beadwork; History of Crow Beadwork and a bibliography. 18 illustrations; 48 B&W photographs; 3 pages in full color.

55 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1985