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Beaded Blanket Strip

Unknown

Northwest Coast, Umatilla

circa 1970

Brain tanned leather, glass beads

2005.175.09

On View

Cultural Continuation

Blanket strips were sown horizontally to the middle of a bison robe or trade blanket. Blankets were worn in a variety of ways including wrapped around a person’s waist, folded and worn over one shoulder in “bandolier” style, or folded and draped around the neck and down the front.

Blankets and bison robes embellished with painted motifs, beadwork or quillwork often were given to special guests and honorees within and outside the tribe during celebrations, ceremonies and other occasions as part of gift giving or giveaways.

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