This is a Salish Native American Indian beaded hat band or small belt from the Otto Ernst Collection. The piece features 19th century trade seed beads sinew sewn on a one piece hide backing, an arrow and cross design with the word "Montana" in the center of the beads and includes hide ties. The piece is from the mid to late 1900s and shows well preserved good condition.
The Ernst Family had the collection displayed at the King Saddlery Museum in Sheridan, Wyoming. The original pieces were collected and sold by Otto F. Ernst in the 19th century. Otto Ernst was a renowned saddle maker and would purchase Native American items to sell in his saddle shop and catalog, Otto Ernst Saddlery Sheridan, Wyoming.
The Flathead Indian Reservation, located in western Montana on the Flathead River, is home to the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles Tribes - also known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation.
Measures 18.75”L and .75” W, ties measure 8" and 6" respectively. Original Museum tags. Little to no bead loss.