1998: 50 Works for 50 Years

unknown, Oglala Sioux

untitled (women’s breastplate)

This breastplate and a beaded dress not currently on display originally belonged to Maggie Red Bear (c. 1878 - ?). The pair have important provenance and many ties to the museum. The dress and breastplate were passed down to Maggie Red Bear’s adopted daughter, Emma Amiotte (1913 – 1997), aunt of Arthur Amiotte, an important Lakota artist whose collage, "Different Worlds," can also be seen in this exhibition. Emma Amiotte was another important Lakota artist, whose dolls are represented in the permanent collection. After being sold, the dress was purchased from the Parsons Indian Trading Post and Museum by the South Dakota Museum Art Guild, in 1991, to be donated to the museum. The breastplate was sold to O.J. Lair and then purchased by Cathy and Ken Vogele to be donated to the museum in 1998. The Vogeles recently donated their important collection of American Indian art and artifacts to the museum and the exhibit of moccasins, baby carriers and dolls are on display in The Cathy and Ken Vogele Collection.

Emma Amiotte wearing an Oglala Sioux breastplate and dress
Oglala Sioux women’s breastplate
Emma Amiotte wearing the breastplate and beaded dress, c. 1970s. The breastplate and dress that are in the South Dakota Art Museum collection.

Object label:
unknown, Oglala Sioux
untitled (women’s breastplate)
hairpipes, leather spacers, glass pony beads, cowry shells, conch shell, c. 1900
South Dakota Art Museum, 1998.02.
Gift of Cathy and Kenneth Vogele.
Maggie Red Bear wearing an Oglala Sioux breastplate and dress
Oglala Sioux women’s breastplate
In this hand-colored photo, Maggie Red Bear wears the breastplate and beaded dress that are now in the South Dakota Art Museum collection. The conch shell was added later. Photo by Vik, Rapid City.

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