Available in this lot is a Lakota Crow Native American Indian tanned hide war shirt, crafted by the famous Cheri Cappello. The war shirt shows tanned Great American Buffalo Bison hide construction with rich red and blue mineral dyes, long hand cut Indian tanned hide fringe, outstanding long horse main (horsehair) fringe and beautiful traditional geometric seed glass trade beaded panels. The piece also shows a breast plate of beadwork, fringe, Ermine Martin hides, and a bear claw. The beadwork is done in panels, as an original 19th Century Warrior’s shirt would, with a background color of blue and geometric patterns in cobalt, corn yellow and red. The connection and deep reverence that Cheri feels for our Native people began as a child. Cheri was born and raised on a large cattle and sheep ranch in the Colorado high country. Many hours were spent exploring the ancient encampments and burial grounds on the family’s ranch. She collected artifacts and arrowheads while working the ranch. Her respect and kinship grew through the years and were fueled with education and involvement with the Native people. At the same time Cheri learned the art of running trap lines and tanning and preparing skins and furs from her grandfather. Her early years also found her hunting, fishing and living the western ranch lifestyle. This taught her the value of nature, animal life and the bond that runs between man and the land. She learned the importance of balance between these two. It seemed only natural that Cheri would create art that would demonstrate her love for the Native Americans, the land, and a lost way of life. Each one of her pieces is a one-of-a-kind museum quality work. They are historically true to the 1800’s circa war shirts, wedding dresses, and child’s ceremonial works of art. These striking works are created by hand using elk, buffalo and buckskin. They are painstakingly brought to life with fine beadwork and authentic adornments originally found on period pieces. The result is a powerful statement of our Native American culture. You can find Cheri’s work in public and private collections across the country and in Europe, Africa, and Australia. She is represented by many fine galleries and has won numerous awards at prestigious national and international shows. Cheri’s artwork is her way of honoring and demonstrating her respect for our Native American heritage. Some of her most recent accolades include Peppertree Art Show 2004,2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. 30th Anniversary participant. Santa Ynez, California Women Artists of the West 2003 and 2004 and 2005 International Invitational Show. Artists Choice Award and Mixed Media 1st Place Award. People’s Choice Manhattan Arts International Award of Excellence. People’s Choice Award Jackson Hole Fine Arts Festival Featured Horizon Artist 2004, 2005, 2006,2008. Featured artist for Former Texas Ranger Foundation Gala 2005 ,2006, 2007.and 2008. This example is in excellent original condition and comes with the original steel curved display mount which allows the war shirt to display so beautifully. This piece originally cost nearly $10,000 and is similar, but a more traditional war shirt with more detail, than the example our company sold in our August 2018 sale for $5,300. The war shirt measures 60" wide from the tips of each sleeve, 42" long from the top of the shirt to the bottom of the fringe, and 24" across the chest, underneath each armpit.