This is an exceptional and historic Sioux Native American Indian full wampum Dentalium shell beaded dress dating to circa 1880. The dress shows a very rare large size and is believed to be the largest earliest representation ever brought to public sale. The piece shows a dark blue to black trade wool cloth construction with yellow, blue and red early trade ribbons accenting the bottom edge and ends of each sleeve. The most important piece of the dress is the large Dentalium Shell beaded cape that is draped over the entire shoulder, chest and back of the dress and accented by Dentalium Shell beaded medicine wheels on both sides (four in total). All other examples brought to auction have not had nearly as many shells or as large a beaded area. The base of the dress also show unique trade solid brass discs in a repeating symbol pattern of a tepee and either the letter "T" or the representation of something of its shape. The bottom of the dress shows the wonderful selvedged trade cloth edge. Overall the dress shows a total of 13 rows of dentalium shells to create a large collar. The cloth was dyed with a rich indigo pigment dye and the edges would retain the undyed selvage as part of the garments design. Provenance: From the large and illustrious collection of Leo Hakola of LaBarge, Wyoming where he acquired from his mother who held various Indian trading post in the early 1900 For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer