Trade Top Hat, Beaver Skin, Trade Silver Band

Eastern Plains

Circa 1845 | Beaver, Silver, Hide | Item 2369

This is an early sheared beaver top hat with a trade silver band. The hat is from Barker & Co.(label inside top), Broadway New York and dates to around 1845. The silver trade band has broad openwork and fine rocker engraving all around. This band is either of the Colonial Period or is modeled after them. It dates from 1800 – 1830. It’s rare to find an Indian top hat that is authentic, as many are old top hats adorned with Native paraphernalia. The simplicity of this one is both beautiful and honest.

The final photo shows a screenshot of a painting by George Catlin (American, 1796-1872), Wi-Jon-Jou – Assinneboine Chief before and after Civilation. The Pigeon’s Egg Head (going to and returning from Washington). National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Price
$1,750
Dimensions 7 1/4' tall, 9" by 10/1/2", 17 1/4" on stand
Condition Very good with some loss of the inside lining
Provenance Hill Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan
Eastern Plains Indian Top Hat, sheared beaver with silver trade band, cutout and rocker engraving, circa 1845
George Catlin (American, 1796-1872), Wi-Jon-Jou. The Pigeon’s Egg Head [going to and returning from Washington], 1844. Lithograph. Gift of Laura and Arch Brown.