Exceptionally rare and original, ca1900 Native American Osage Indian mid 19th century, beaver fur top hat with loom beaded hatband, Indian...
This simply fantastic, Osage Top Hat measures approx. 6” tall, 12” from the front of brim to the back. We believe the hat is beaver fur and dates from about 1870 – there are images of award medals won by the hat maker at the 1855, 1857, 1862 and 1867 Paris Universal Expositions on the inner surface of the top of the Hat. The Top Hat is decorated with a 1 3/4” wide, loom beaded hat band using red, dark cobalt blue and chalk white colored beads. There is a late Indian Wars period, shell brass, Military Musician Shako / Cap Badge on the front of the Hat and a black ostrich plume at the back that rises above the crown of the Top Hat.
The Bead Decorated, Osage Top Hat offered here unconditionally guaranteed original and of the period. It is NOT a reproduction or modern recreation but an original, mid 19th century Top Hat decorated and crafted by a member of the Osage People around the turn of the 20th century. It comes with our “no questions asked” return privilege and our lifetime guarantee of authenticity. The Hat is guaranteed to be deemed authentic, original and as described by any qualified third party authentication service.
This very rare and wonderful, ca1900 Osage Bead Decorated Top Hat is in very good condition. The Hat itself is mostly well preserved – the block is square and the structure sound. The outer surface well preserved and the lining intact. The only damage to the Hat is at the inner edge of the black silk border around the outer edge of the brim where there is fraying to the fabric. The Hat has also lost its original leather sweatband on the inner surface. The loom beaded hat band is very well preserved – intact and sound with no damage, loss or repairs. The shell brass hat badge is also well preserved and exhibits a rich and warm, age appropriate surface patina. Even the ostrich plume is well preserved although a bit ragged. All elements of the Hat are original and there has been no repairs or restorations.
PRICE ESTIMATE: $300 US
