Blue Woolen Dress with Red Detached Sleeves

Blue Woolen Dress with Red Detached Sleeves

2007.41.1.1 and 2007.41.1.1.2-3

The blue woolen dress has shoulder ties instead of straps. The armholes are formed by folding the fabric over to create flaps over the upper arm. The dress is decorated with ribbonwork edged in white and clear seed beads and including striped tape instead of ribbon. The red stroud sleeves have cuffs that are similarly decorated. They have a tie at the center back and a woolen tape strap across the chest.

1855, before

James Bay Cree

Hudson Bay

This ensemble also includes a hood (2007.41.1.3), belt (2007.41.1.5), leggings (2007.41.1.2.1-2) mocassins (2007.41.1.6.1-2).

Red and blue stroud, seed beads, silk ribbon, woolen tape.

The only documentation on this ensemble is an old note: "Grannie's red Indian dress bought in Canada about 1856- or a few years earlier." In 2005, Christie's attributed the outfit to the "Cree." In the ROM catalogue record it became, "James Bay Cree, Northern Ontario or Quebec."" Arni Brownstone

https://iris.siue.edu/anishinaaberegalia/items/show/572007.41.1.4

strap dress ensemble

ROM First Peoples Gallery

52.33326, -81.74989 (N 52°20′00″ W 81°45′00″)

Brasser, Theodore. 2009. Native American Clothing: An Illustrated History. Richmond Hill, ON: Firefly Books.

dress and sleeves