This is an exceptional war bonnet headdress from the Assiniboine Native American Indians and dating to the third-fourth quarter of the 19th Century. The piece shows a heavy trade canvas or clothe construction with red trade silk like inner lining (as seen on earlier hats of this period). The headdress has been completely covered in Ermine hides and shows a wide fully beaded panel along the front brow that extends from ear to ear and is crafted on Indian tanned hide. The beaded panel is sinew sewn with authentic correct glass trade seed beads in a traditional geometric pattern having a chalk white background and tiered pattern with greasy yellow, semi-transparent dark blue, red white hearts, and medium green. The headdress shows two pronghorn antelope antlers / horns attached at the sides and held together at the tips by a piece of Indian tanned hide. One of the more discerning and unique artistic aspects of the headdress is the pair of green ocher mineral pigment dyed wide Indian tanned hide fringe pieces or runners that extend _ inches down the wearers back and are covered in over __ rolled iron jingle cones. The medicine man headdress makes a loud bell like sound when worn, a truly wonderful and unique feature. The Assiniboine Native American Indians share a common ancestry with the Sioux people and believed by many to have a heritage with the Stoney, Santee, Lakota and Yankon-Yanktonai tribes being separated in the 17th Century. During the 19th Century the Assiniboine tribe resided in Northern Montana, Canada and North Dakota near the Missouri river. One of the most notable items of the Assiniboine people was some of their warrior and chief For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer