Yakama Indian Nation Puka Shell 16 Stand Breast Plate Worn in Northern Exposure

Description

Up for auction from what I understand is a
Vntg Yakama Indian Nation, Wapato WA hand stringed
Puka Shell 16 Stand Breast Plate that was worn in an episode of the TV show Northern Exposure, either in 1992 or 1993. This actor appears in episodes in each of those years. The Native American actors TV show name was either Pete or John Hope.
I'm presuming this was made by a Yakama Native American, since that is were I found them.  The 16 horizontal strands taper from the longest at the top and then are graduated to the shortest at the base, creating a modified "V" shape to accentuate a "V" shaped torso. The strands are spaced about 1" apart. The top strand is 16" long and the bottom one is 12" long. Each end of each of the strands string has been threaded through a hole in the thick, square leather lace on each side. These thick laces are 15 1/2" long.  At the top of each of these thick laces are 23" long soft doe skin laces for tying the breast plate around the neck. At the base of this thick lace, there is an addition 20" soft lace, same as at the top, but only on one side.  Had there been a second lace on the other bottom side, the bottom of the breast could have been tied around the back, creating more a rectangle rather than a V.
In the same hole was threaded a soft split piece of doe skin that is 9" long, creating two 4 1/2" long pieces of fringe. The fringe and the strand string was then glued into the hole, making it all very tight and secure. Lashed with a leather tie is a 1 7/8" diameter mother of pearl round shell center piece with starred edges. It has mop on the back side and a stripey brown and black coloration on the front. Carved onto the front is a backwards B. These puka shells have been cut and polished to the same size-3/16" diameter. In the center of each strand are two brass beads on each side of a cobalt glass bead.
The longest strand at the top is 16"long, and going down in this order, they are: 16", 15 1/2", 15", 15", 14 1/4", 14", 13 1/2", 13 1/2", 13 1/4", 13", 13", 12 1/2", 12", 12", 12".
-
This vintage Native American hand strung Puka Shell Breast Plate is in very good, clean, tight, well cared for over all good condition.
Buyer pays for priority mail.
I ship daily or on next business day.
I appreciate being paid within three days, please.
I'm happy to combine shipping.
International buyers please contact me for a shipping quote.
International buyers are responsible for paying their countries custom fees.
I practice leaving positive feedback.
I guarantee customer satisfaction.
Thanks! Paul