This is an excellent Northern Plains Native American Indian Trade Elk Ivory Teeth (10 natural, one resin) from a necklace from the late 19th century, early 20th century. For a very long time, the Elk Ivory has been a prized commodity, used for trade and a demonstration of wealth and good hunting ability. Elk Ivories have been used by native people to adorn their clothing (dresses, vests, etc.) as well as for jewelry (necklaces, suspended on earrings). During the post reservation period, when game was scarce, ivories started to be carved by hand from bone and antlers to take the place of this prized possession. Many old dresses in museums have hand carved “ivories” that are made from antler. Elk ivory was one of three white objects commonly found on Plains Indian hide dresses. On the Great Plains, Elk Ivory dresses differentiated the women who wore them. The rows of ivory teeth stood out against the normal canvas of animal hide background. More importantly, these dresses symbolized a family’s status and stature. Each elk has just two ivory teeth, and so the accumulation of teeth on the dresses could represent dozens or hundreds of elk, signifying a man’s hunting prowess or means to trade for teeth. On the Plains, 100 Elk Ivories would buy a good horse. A family wearing these items “demonstrated a woman’s pride and love, as well as her aptitude for economic industry within the village,” and her wish for her child’s longevity. The ten (10) natural Elk Ivory teeth are in wonderful condition, exhibiting natural variations in colour. The lone resin Elk tooth resembles old ceramic Elk teeth, with a mostly uniform appearance. No obvious marring noted.