Antique 1800s N Plains Blackfoot Trade Bead Loop Necklace. I’m totally open to negotiating price. Make me a reasonable offer. 99% of the time I will accept the first offer without making a counter offer. If I do make a counter offer please dont hesitate to submit your own counter offer. I welcome the opportunity to negotiate my prices. Beautiful, very rare, Northern Plains, Blackfoot, antique, trade bead, & large shell, loop style breastplate, mens necklace. These loop necklaces were popular among the northern plains & plateau tribes such as the Crow, Blackfoot Confederacy, Assiniboine, Cree, and Nez Perce. This loop necklace probably dates from around 1880-90, & features red, interlocking trade beads, large shell discs, & long Indian/brain tanned buckskin fringes. These red trade beads, often referred to as snake beads, were popular among northern plains tribes but it is very unusual to find them being used in a loop necklace as these necklaces were usually constructed with beaded ropes or heishi type shell or bone discs. The fact that this loop necklace was made with this type of trade bead, & is in such well preserved condition make this a rare find. It is also unusual to find these loop necklaces with the shell pendants still attached, & the shells that were used on this necklace are unusually large. The buckskin fringes and heavy harness leather straps are in very good condition and show quite a bit of patina, which only attests to the age of this item. The fringes are somewhat stiff, but are still strong & would soften up nicely with a bit of hand rubbing. The round metal beads used in the center of & ends each bead strand also show considerable patina, but I believe they could be polished if so desired by the new owner. The beads strands appear to be strung on some type of thick cordage that was probably originally back in color, but has faded to purple over the years. Black tubular beads were used as added decoration & to partially cover where the fringe is attached to the sides of the necklace. This antique loop necklace is in such excellent condition that it could be worn today, although I would recommend do so with care. I believe this necklace came from a Blackfeet family in Montana, & was gifted to someone in my family many years ago. It would make a wonderful addition to any collection of Native American art. Other northern plains loop necklaces sell for thousands of dollars, & I dont expect have this listed long before it sells. Measurements: Approximately 22 x 11 inches or 55.88 x 27.94 cm (from top of shells to bottom of fringe) or Shells are about 3 inches 7.62 cm in diameter. Please message me with any questions & I promise to respond right away. International Buyers Please Note. Please look carefully at the listing pictures and take note of all measurements or weights given in the description, title, & category information. In order to show details of items, the listing pictures are taken very close up & it may be difficult to judge the size of the item just by the pictures alone. The item “Very Rare Large Antique 1800s N Plains Blackfoot Red Trade Bead Loop Necklace” is in sale since Wednesday, September 25, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Native American\ US\1800-1934\Beads & Beadwork”. The seller is “slapysickle” and is located in Coulee Dam, Washington. This item can be shipped worldwide.
