Seminole Finger-Woven Sash

second quarter 19th century

red and cream raveled wool yarn; having long narrow strips edge beaded with white glass beads and terminating with braided fringe; attached to sash is a manuscript note: Given to Brev. Capt. Benjamin F Harley by Osceola Seminole, plus an additional note: Indian Belt / given to my great uncle / Capt. Ben. Franklin Harley / by Osceola / Seminole Indian Chief / about time of Mexican War written on the back of a 1950-1951 Community Concert season ticket card

overall length 114 inches x width 4-1/4 inches

Although family history attributes the sash to Osceola (1804-1838), there was no point in Captain Harley's career where he would have encountered the Seminole leader.

Has a third manuscript note on file:

Osceola means / "Black-Drink Singer" / Seminole - meant "Runaway" or "Separatist" / (a Creek word)

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Danica Farnand

Vice President, Head of Department, Native American Art

[email protected]513.666.4935

Ms. Farnand has helmed the Native American Art department since its inception at Cowan's Auctions in 2003, developing it into one of the most respected and successful departments in the category. Throughout her career, Ms. Farnand has sold over $50 million in Native Art, and has created focused and curated auctions for 19th and 20th century Native works, Jewelry, and Modern and Contemporary Native and Indigenous Arts. A distinguished expert in her field, Ms. Farnand is a respected voice in the ongoing dialogue between Native American tribal groups and the collecting community regarding culturally significant objects, serving as a board member of the Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA) since 2019, and spearheading the effort to return a sacred Ahayu:da wooden figure to its rightful home in the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico in 2020. She has also been an appraiser on Antiques Roadshow since 2016. Ms. Farnand holds an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Cincinnati and a B.A. in Art History from John Carroll University.

Native American Art, Session I

Seminole Finger-Woven Sash

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