Antique Dakota Sioux Brass Tacked Mirror Board.

Description

Offered is a fine old 19th century Dakota Sioux Mirror Board measuring 5" X 12".  It is stained with the red earth pigment Vermillion and the edges with yellow ochre and brass tacked over all.  It has a 2" X3" mirror inset.  The handle has a hole burned through it using a hot piece of iron.  The hole was for a wrist strap or an attachment now long gone.  This example is in excellent as found condition.  Collected on the Prairie Island Reservation, EX: Orloske Collection, Minnesota.  Mirror boards were used as a signaling device, a toiletry mirror, and also used for dancing in certain ceremonies.