Does anyone know about beaded Indian dresses

Fishstique

Fishstique

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My mother bought this dress at a fundraising sale, she paid $125 for it. She was antique dealer who specialized in vintage costume jewellery and fashion accessories... so this wasn't her area of expertise but she bought it knowing it was worth more that 125. All I can remember from what she told me at the time that it was a vintage indian dress, hand beaded. It is EXTREMELY heavy and rather delicate, so I didnt want to risk ripping it by taking hanging up pics. I have had a search on Ebay going for indian beaded dresses but usually what comes up are the buckskin types. Anyone have any insight on this type of dress?
 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that is not an Indian beaded dress, it is an early 1920s beaded fashion dress, possibly beaded in France by Russian emigres but also possibly beaded by machine, which I think is more likely from the way they are sewn onto the dress.

THe leaf outlines are vaguely Prairie Native style which is perhaps where the identification comes from?

Depending on the condition the price sounds about right to me if its that fragile. If it wasn't fragile and labelled, then it could be worth a lot more.
 
Thanks for the quick reply! You're right, I think I recall my mom saying she thought it was Prairie style, or from the prairies, that's where that notion came from.

What sort of keywords can I use to find similar dresses on Ebay and/or goole to do some more research? It's not doing much good in my storage so I would like to sell it.
 
You can go to Clothing & Accessories>Vintage>Womens Clothing >1920s - 30s> Dresses and then search "beaded". That will weed out the modern beaded gowns.

If by fragile you mean stress holes and dry rot, then I agree $125 is close. However, there is a market for beaded 20s dresses even if not in the best of condition. If you choose to sell, try to take one photo hanging on a padded hanger with a clean background. And then be sure to describe and photo any problem areas.

Hollis
 
I'll go get it out of storage, take some proper pics, and get this sold... thanks for the info, and the impetus! Although maybe I'll wait 2 weeks until after my neew floors are put in so it doesnt get covered in sawdust. But for now I can pre-write my auction info and do more research.
 
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