Help ID these buttons on Indian relic?

[brandywine]

This is a basket or hat that was handed down in my wife's family. I am trying to identify the piece. I think that it was some kind of item that a native would pray to and receive the powers of it's enemies. That is a bear tooth, which was probably some pretty good mojo. The buttons look like US calvary buttons and one is missing.

Any help with dating these would give me a good platform to work from.

Thanks!

 

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[BuckleBoy]

The buttons are post-Civil War buttons, but pre-1902.

I would date the headpiece to this time period, if the buttons are original to the piece. (Souvenirs of troops killed?)


Very cool piece. Interested in learning more. You should post this in the Native American Artifacts section of the forum as well.



-Buckleboy

 

[vayank54]

The buttons are Indian war period general service buttons. They started using that type of eagle about 1878 or so and like BuckleBoy said they are pre1902.

 

[brandywine]

Here is an underneith view of the piece. I post this just to show the eyeletts(sp) of the buttons and give some idea of the buttons being original to the item.

Thank you for the information so far.

 

[Relichunter1]

Wow, incredible Native American piece. The buttons were often traded among or between the natives. So it's possible they added this to the hat. Or it may be some soldier that might have been ambushed or killed in an ambush by the natives. Anyway you have an incredible piece, please save it or sell it to a museum.