The extremely rare and exquisitely crafted, Indian Cree costume has been purchased by Donald Ellis for US $510,000 at a Sotheby's auction house on May 18.
Donald Ellis, a leading Canadian collector of native art and aboriginal artifacts owns galleries in Hamilton and New York City.
The Cree garments originate from the US and Canada. The 200 years old costume includes the Woodland Cree leggings, mittens and an English cut frock coat, which has traditional geometric patterns of crosses, circles, squares and triangles.
Acquired by a British army officer during 1812, the attire is made of elk hide, is elaborately decorated with red, green and black quills and glass beads.