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Chief's Looking Glass Frame

Arts of the Americas

CULTURE Sioux
MEDIUM Wood
DATES early 19th century
DIMENSIONS 7 x 3 1/4 in. (17.8 x 8.3 cm)  (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS "Indian Looking Glass, Sioux"
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 50.67.108
CREDIT LINE Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund
PROVENANCE Prior to 1848, provenance not yet documented; by 1848, acquired by Nathan Sturges Jarvis; 1848, gift of Nathan Sturges Jarvis to the New-York Historical Society, New York, NY; 1937, loaned by the New-York Historical Society to the Brooklyn Museum; 1950, purchased from the New-York Historical Society by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Rectangular wooden frame that once housed a mirror. It is decorated with repeated borders of chip-carved triangles; resulting in an appearance of raised, zigzag lines. Closest to the rectangular depression made for the housing of the mirror is an additional border in higher relief. The top, right and left sides of this border are carved as a series of small, raised pyramidal forms. The bottom side of the border is a double row of opposed scalloped lines that combine to form horizontal, pointed ovals. This frame also includes a bi-lobed, perforated handle.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Sioux. Chief's Looking Glass Frame, early 19th century. Wood, 7 x 3 1/4 in. (17.8 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund, 50.67.108. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.67.108_acetate_bw.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 50.67.108_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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Sioux. <em>Chief's Looking Glass Frame</em>, early 19th century. Wood, 7 x 3 1/4 in. (17.8 x 8.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund, 50.67.108. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 50.67.108_acetate_bw.jpg)