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FEMALE AMERICAN INDIAN COSTUME

Creator(s): Eaves Costume Company (Designer)

Currently in storage


About this object

Marjorie Merriweather Post wore this elaborate costume to the "Whoopee Ball" at the Bath and Tennis Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 1, 1929.

This costume has American Indian motif design with a 1920s knee-length, sleeveless, scoop-necked Flapper-style dress. It is entirely made up of beads sewn onto a foundation of cotton net. The small white beads make up the background. Both front and back are decorated with American motif. The front is more elaborate. The front is decorated with three large, medium-blue, diamond-shaped beads and several light blue, medium-sized, round beads over a lattice design created with silver bugle beads. The side front area is decorated with four individual triangles of graduating size, composed of light and medium beads. The triangles are outlined in gold beads. The same gold and red bugle beads are used to create a vertical zig-zag pattern at the side fronts. The back detail consists of four individual triangles of graduated size and a vertical zig-zag pattern at the side back. Triangles of light and medium blue are placed above and below the central motif. Fifty-five rabbit puffs freely hang from long beaded strands sewn to the lower portion of the dress in a lattice formation. Single strands of tan colored beads of graduating lengths run from shoulder to shoulder. The garment closed center back with metal hooks and bars.

Object name:
FEMALE AMERICAN INDIAN COSTUME
Made from:
Cotton net -- velvet -- beads -- chicken feathers -- rabbit fur
Made in:
New York, USA
Date made:
ca. 1920

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
48.144.1-7
Signature marks:
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973