Minneapolis Institute of Art

Dance blanket

Otoe-Missouria artist

Date

early 20th century

Medium

Wool, beads, ribbon

Culture

Otoe-Missouria

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This blanket started out as a standard-issue Hudson Bay blanket, factory-made from British wool. An Otoe or Otoe-Missouria artist transformed it into a work of art—a prized Native dance blanket. It was probably made for a member of the Osage community around 1900. The Osage were immensely rich due to the oil discovered on the Osage Nation land. Wealthy Osage individuals often commissioned their ceremonial regalia from neighboring Otoe and Otoe-Missouria peoples. This blanket features signature Otoe and Otoe-Missouria–style appliqué with colorful beads. When it is worn, the floral designs appear on the front and the horses on the back, wrapping the dancer with decoration. United States, Americas

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