The lot features an original mid-19th century painted Plains man’s painted buffalo robe previously authenticated by the experts at Bonhams Skinners. The painted hide shows a wonderful polychrome painted pattern which has been commonly referred to as a feather bonnet and sunburst design consisting of concentric circles of radiating and stylized feathers. Robes such as this were worn by Chiefs and Warriors symbolizing an eagle-feather headdress and warrior’s prowess and status (Numakiki robe from Smithsonian National Museum listing). The painted hide shows feather symbols in black and white with flourishes of red, all mineral pigment dyes. Provenance: This exact hide was found to be an authentic mid-1800’s Plains Man’s Buffalo Robe by the experts at Skinner / Bonhams and sold for nearly $10,000 in 2022 from a Montreal Native American collection and the Leo and Lillian Fortess collection sale. A screen shot of the hide from the Skinner sale is listed for example, the hide has some additional wear, but is the same hide. The hide shows some areas of wear, slight cracking and fading to the paint, but overall a truly stunning authentic Indian Wars era circa 1840-1860’s. Measures 105-inches by 87-inches overall including tail. The tail is slightly cracked.