I would like to know the value of this item. This is an old buffalo robe painted with natural paints. Although it is quite old the natural paintings are in very good condition!! There is just a little fading of the paintings in a few places, including the signature but I am wondering with a strong magnify glass if the signature can be fully viewed. On the fur side there is hair loss from the tanning process, and also some moth damage but the hide is intact and the upper portion is still full of hair. This is a winter coat hide.
82" length and 74" wide
Hi Dolores,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This could be Mandan (lived in North Dakota
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique Native American painted buffalo hide blanket
Possibly Mandan, probably early 20th Century
One side with buffalo hair attached, the other tanned, treated and painted with figures in a landscape. Possibly signed with an indistinct signature in one corner.
82 by 74 inches
CONDITION: appears to be in generally very good condition with strong colors and only minor hair losses.
PROVENANCE: inherited
$4,000-6,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.
On closer look I do not think there is a first name...it looks like a character first with a head stick body and arms...then the name looks like Hou
Thanks, Dolores. I couldn't find any match to the signature but the style of the painting looks Mandan to me.
Thank you so very much for your appraisal and additional info!!!
Always our pleasure!
I am not sure but it looks like the first name could be Hw Hou, or R w Hou or Kw Hou
I honestly do not know. So sorry I could not be of more help