elk tooth dress

unrecorded Lakota artist, artist

elk tooth dress, late 1800s–1942

Where object was made: South Dakota, United States

Material/technique: bone; carving; buckskin; beads

Credit line: Gift of William Wilhm

Accession number: 2007.2240

Not on display

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Exhibition Label:
"Beaded Heritage,” Mar-2010, Robin Bang
Elk have two eye teeth which are often the only things that remain after the elk decays. These ‘ivory’ teeth signify longevity and are considered valuable. However, as hunting opportunities became limited and elk teeth became scarce, imitation teeth were carved out of bone like those on this dress to the left.