Costume
Jay's Ltd
Category
Costume
Date
circa 1920
Materials
Felt, plastic beads and elastic cord
Measurements
30 mm (width); 1650 mm (length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 671241.5
Summary
A black felt hairpiece made to look like two long plaits, with red plastic elasticated bands around either end. Part of a children’s fancy dress costume which is based on a stereotypical representation of Native Americans.The red bands are made from red square plastic beads with a clear plastic 'jewel' in the middle of each one, strung together on two pieces of elasticated string. This fancy dress costume was bought from Jay’s Ltd for a children’s party in the 1920s. The clothes and accessories that make up the costume reflect a generic ‘American Indian’ stereotype which was depicted in Wild West stage shows and later Western films. Caricatures in these entertainments informed the game of 'Cowboys and Indians' which became popular in the United States and United Kingdom.
Provenance
Owned by donor’s family and donated to the Museum of Childhood by Jane Osgood in March 2011.
Makers and roles
Jay's Ltd, manufacturer Jay's Ltd, retailer