From the Trail of Painted Ponies: "Trail Paint"
Artist: Vickie Knepper

Yes, I think the narrow strips that dangle are made of thin leather. They are attached to the end of the feathers.

Warriors from tribes across the Plains often wore feathers that were marked and painted in ways that told of their accomplishments in battle. In this fashion they would sometimes intimidate opponents who would be scared off after “reading” the stories related on the feathers. But sometimes they would also become the target of warriors who sought encounters with powerful opponents as a way of gaining personal power.

With “Tribal Paint”, artist Vickie Knepper, creator of the heartbreaking collectible ”Wounded Knee,” continues to use Painted Ponies to relate interesting and little-known stories about Plains Indian life.

The vibrant colors of deep royal purple combined with a softer shade of blue make a striking statement. The feathers overlap each other and have the design like a sunflower - with the feathers draping down the side of the belly and a center piece in the middle of the back. The black platform has a large purple feather laying atop it. Made of Resin. Dimensions: 6-1/4" high x 8-1/2"L x 2-1/4"W.