Costume
Jay's Ltd
Category
Costume
Date
circa 1920
Materials
Glass beads and resin
Measurements
15 mm (width); 62 mm (depth); 310 mm (length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 671241.8.2
Summary
A string of glass beads that have become detached from a wooden pipe, that is part of a children’s fancy dress costume based on a stereotypical representation of Native American dress. The string of beads has four synthetic animal teeth placed between the beads. The larger tooth has a line running around it suggesting that the tip has been re-attached. Also the lack of symmetry with two small teeth, one large tooth, then one small tooth, suggests that one other small tooth may be missing. The fancy dress costume was bought from Jay’s Ltd for a children’s party in the 1920s. The design of the pipe, with its feather, bead and tooth decorations, is likely based on ceremonial pipes used by many Indigenous North American peoples. However 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, rather than the authentic material cultural of any particular peoples. 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