Warrior's headdress

A pearl of our collection: the unique headdress of a famed warrior of the Sioux. It was made of armadillo's skin and was gradually decorated by the feathers of the mountain eagle, one feather for one killed enemy. The other decorations include tails of ermine, coloured woolen bands, and horse hair: each of these elements symbolizes the benchmarks of the biography of the holder. USA, Minnesota, 19th cent.