TWO GUNS WHITE CALF - PICTOGRAPH UNSIGNED - HFSID 350551

TWO GUNS WHITE CALF
Rare pictograph painting on buffalo hide by the Blackfoot Indian Chief.
Pictograph on buffalo hide. Roughly 12½ x 5½. The Blackfoot Indian Chief painted in pictograph form, events, and scenes from a Plains Indian's point of view. This piece of Buffalo hide, painted on the tanned side, came from a complete hide blanket which retained the “Fur” on one side for warmth and the pictographs on the other side for decoration. Shown among the pieces recovered from the blanket, are scenes of buffaloes and horses, some of which include a “Red Man” to represent the Indian. Pictographs of American Plains Indians are generally very simple in structure and self-explanatory. The use of natural colors represents true symbols, while unnatural colors have a special meaning. The Plains Indians were very graphic and used other forms of picture writing such as in sign language, smoke signals, trail signs, language feathers and blankets. A blanket that was painted or woven with special designs was often an autobiographical account of its creator.

Blackfoot Indian Chief Two Guns White Calf (1872-1934) frequently posed for artists and was a popular attraction at Glacier National Park. The park abuts the Indian reservation which was established in 1855 for the southernmost branch of the tribe. Browning, the eastern gateway to the park, which was founded in 1910, is the capital of the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. The tribe is noted for its unique designs and fine craftsmanship. The Blackfoot, who also encompass two Canadian branches, the Kootenai and the Salish cultures, got their name from their habit of coloring the bottoms of their moccasins black, painting or darkening them with ashes.

Framed to an overall size of 37½ x 22½. Frame exhibits wearing at corners.