Dakota Woman's Hide and Wool Dress

 
Made in about 1850-60.
This Dakota woman’s dress was collected or taken by Colonel John G. Clark while Clark was stationed at Fort Rice, Dakota Territory (now North Dakota), in the 1860s.  The combination hide and wool dress has fringed cape sleeves and an inverted U-shape hem with fringe in the center back and front. The neckline is bound with red wool interwoven with a hide strap.  Two rows of pink, green, black and yellow beads are sewn from the shoulder to the end of the sleeve and around the neck and yoke. Small tufts of red wool are sewn around the skirt at the hipline. The sides have hide insets with bead and wool trim.  Small brass buttons are tied to some of the skirt fringe.