This is an exceptional circa 1870-1880 Plains Painted Buffalo Hide Robe from the ex-collection of Ken Canfield and the collection of Stephen Johnston (with paperwork). The piece comes with a copy of the signed letter with photograph from Ken Canfield of Canfield Gallery in February 2001. This is a classic Plains polychrome mineral pigment painted summer buffalo hide. This pattern of painting has been referred to as feather bonnet and sunburst design and consists of concentric circles of radiating and stylized feathers. These robes were worn by Chief’s and Warriors symbolizing an eagle-feather headdress and a warrior’s prowess and status (Numakiki robe from Smithsonian National Museum listing). The mineral pigment painted hide shows colors of red, yellow, blue and black. The hide shows the full head, feet and tail. There is a small marking or signature above the tail. Provenance: Purchased at an antique shop in Paris, France in 1983 by an American medical doctor from Texas. Ken Canfield of Canfield Gallery acquired the piece and noted in a signed document with image from February 2001 likely having the following history: Likely arrived in France during the years 1889-1893 with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show when touring France and Europe along with Sitting Bull and other Indians. Later sold to Michael Joyce of Norfolk, Virginia from Canfield’s $15,000 listing in 2001 and then sold to Stephen Johnston (collection from Darby, Montana and Foster City, California) in 2007 for $9,500. A copy of Ken Canfields signed letter and the transcript between Joyce and Johnston are both included in the lot. The Great American Bison Buffalo hide robe shows mostly soft hide with some stiff areas, along with wear through spots, cracks and loss of fur on the reverse. The paint is mostly vivid with some loss to the finish. The piece has a deep original patina and is well preserved overall. Comes with a copy of the signed letter from Ken Canfield of Canfield Gallery as well as a letter from Joyce to the current collection of Johnston. Measures overall 85-inches long by 72-inches wide.