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Black Road next to a Porcupine

Ethnographic Notes

This picture is typical of Black Road's penchant for recording the curious coincidences of his life. The vertical line is a small creek, with trees along one side. While on the way to attend a Grass Dance, he noticed a porcupine in a nearby tree. He may have returned later to collect this bounty. Porcupines, usually well fed on tree bark, were considered good eating. The quills, of course, were easily dyed and valued for embroidering clothing. Black Road is dressed typically for the Grass Dance, a popular social occasion. A turban of otter fur encircles his forehead. In the open top, attached to his scalplock, is a roach headdress made of porcupine guard hair dyed red, and an eagle feather. The blue cloth shirt is painted with horse tracks, symbolizing the animals stolen in Plates 70 & 65. His black-wool leggings are of the pattern called “front-seam,” secured below the knee with garters to which rattlesnake rattles are attached---a precursor of the brass sleigh bells popular during the reservation period. In his hand is a pipe-tomahawk with a blue, beaded tab.


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Provenance

Private owner. Provenance provided by 3rd generation descendants of Charles A. Wilkins on a typed note taped ...

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Document Info
Plate No: 54
Page No: --
Media: pencil and colored pencil
Dimensions: 6.5 x 7.25 inches
Custodian
Personal Collection
Artist
Black Road
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