Handcrafted by Cheri Cappello (20th C., America), Plains Indians war shirt, tanned and painted hide, trade beads, horsehair

height 26 in. x width 36 in.

Provenance: Originally purchased from a gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 2003; thence property of a Wimberley, Texas art and antiques collector

Cheri Capello was born and raised in Colorado high country, and had access to ancient encampments and burial grounds while working her family's ranch. Throughout her early life she became highly involved with the Native people, educating herself as much as possible, also forming a deep respect for the natural world, and the relationship between man and nature. Capello carefully attempts to create historically true 1800s era reproductions, including war shirts, weddings dresses, and other ceremonial works of art, using only naturally found materials and Native creative methods. Capello is currently represented by the Spirits in the Wind Gallery (Golden, Colorado), and is featured in public and private collections across America, Europe, Africa, and Australia.