A Lakota (Sioux) pictorial quilled vest
Partially quilled on hide with a fabric-lined interior, the face with hearts and vining foliate and floral elements, the back with American flags, shields, and a branching foliate spray, fringed along the seams and lower edge.
length 23 1/2in, width 20 1/2in
Footnotes:
Provenance
Property from the Collection of Joel and Kate Kopp, New York

Illustrated
Herbst, T. and Kopp, J., The Flag in American Indian Art, 1993, New York State Historical Association, New York, NY, p. 40, fig. 16; 'The design on the back of this vest, with American flags, shields, and a splay of flowers is typical of Lakota floral quillwork.'

Good condition overall with scattered insect grazing and/or losses to quill work throughout, the largest areas a handful of 1in x 1/4in areas, and general dust accumulation commensurate with age. A few scattered spots of soiling/dryness to hide (the largest a couple of 3in x 2in areas verso) and a couple of scattered small holes. Most hide ties have been lost. Some wear and dryness to the fringe. Fraying and losses to the fabric piping and some losses to interior lining, primarily under right arm hole.