46 x 24 in.
Emma Harter Sweetser Fund
(Ali Berete, Teaneck, New Jersey); purchased by William Itter, Bloomington, Indiana, in 2008; purchased by the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2012.
This porcupine quill tunic and headdress were likely worn by a person of royal or noble stature leading a memorial celebration or a funeral procession. Each end of a quill’s shaft is sewn to the hand-spun, hand-woven, and dyed cotton ground cloth.
Dancers also wear similar tunics during masquerade processions. During performances, these intimidating costumes instill fear in onlookers by expressing extraordinary magical powers, demonstrating the masker’s invincibility.
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