The lot features an outstanding split horn war bonnet with beadwork attributed to the Cheyenne Native American Indians in Wyoming and dating to circa 1875. The piece is from the ex-collection of Cyrus Eaton of London, England and was originally purchased by him at a Christie’s American Indian Art sale in the 1970-‘s for $8,000 where it was found to be from the Cheyenne Indians of Wyoming dating to circa 1875, the original Christie’s Auction tag is pinned on and still included as shown. George Catlin (1796-1872) an American painter, author, traveler and one of the first known American Indian scholars referred to Split-horn Bonnets as being “worn only by the bravest of the brave; by the most extraordinary men in the nation." The piece shows a Great American Bison Buffalo horn which was split end to end, then a third of the horn was shaved thin and given an angular pattern with median ridge and attached to the cap. The horns would fall back or forward as the wearer moved his head, “giving a vast deal of expression and force of character, to the appearance of the Chief who is wearing them” (Catlin). Horsehair with a rich red dye along with beadwork and old hawk trade bells were attached to the horn tips with Indian tanned hide gaskets having small fringes to intensify the effect. The headdress was further adorned along the entire Indian brain tanned Buffalo hide cap and down the back with hundreds of small Ermine white hides, old wound glass padre trade beads, strips of trade clothe and trade ribbons along with old hawk bells which could be heard clinking on the horseback. The front shows a beaded brow band on the front in traditional geometric Cheyenne patterns all being period correct glass trade seed cen beads in colors of sky padre blue, greasy butterscotch yellow, cobalt and semi-transparent rose. According to Catlin, such headdresses were worn only for the visits of other Chiefs, at celebrations of a war victory, public festivals or on war parties where they served as a “symbol of power.” An original Indian tanned hide strap along the chin is still intact along with various long thin Indian tanned hide fringes. The two carved, split and polished Buffalo horns are held together at the top with a single strand of larger wound glass pony trade beads of the period in colors of greasy blue and chalk white. The back shows a trailing drop of a dark blue early old period trade blanket with hand dyed yellow, red, and blue stripes and is further decorated with drops including Indian tanned hide fringes and approximately eight more old hawk trade bells. This is truly a showy and artistic piece being very well preserved and striking with fantastic provenance. Provenance: Purchased by Cyrus Eaton of London, England from Christie’s New York American Indian Art auction in the approximate 1970’s for $8,000 where they found it to be an authentic 1875 Cheyenne example from Wyoming with original Christie’s tag. The blue trade clothe trailer hangs 26 inches from the cap. Similar to the example also from the Cyrus Eaton collection sold by North American Auction Co. in our February 2021 sale for $11,685 (shown with buyers premium).