Traditional Mohawk Gustoweh Headdress w/beaded BearPaw: Paul St John - Mohawk

Description

This is a traditional Mohawk gustoweh headdress such has been worn by Mohawk men since c/1700's. The frame is of ash splints and is covered with turkey feathers, some cut to achieve correct height.  The Gustoweh was originally worn by the nations of Haudenoshaunee also known as Iroquois Confederacy (The Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora)  Each nation placed the larger feathers differently - this one has 3 larger feathers in upright position and so is Mohawk.  This gustoweh is made by Paul St John, Mohawk craftsman of turkey feathers on a frame of ash splints. (partridge feathers are added decoratively)  Front & sides of frame are covered with vintage red wool which has an Iroquois "wave/water" design in white vintage seed beads.  Just atop the beaded wool frame in front there is a beaded red wool medallion with a large bear paw design beaded in the same vintage white glass seed beads.  Above the bear paw are smaller upright feathers in a fan shape, these are partridge tail feathers.  The frame below this is also covered in the red trade wool and has at front sides and front a beaded Iroquois "wave/water" design made of the same vintage beads.
The gustoweh is about 14" in diameter with the feathers and the 3  larger feathers stick up about 9" when placed in traditional reed holders. The inner framework "cap" is about 7.75" in inner diameter.  The oval bearpaw medallion is 2.75" long and 2.25" across - beaded bear paw is nearly that large.
The birchbark frame will mold to your head, you can dampen it to help it do so.  You should place on a round shape (like mannequin head - or correct size ball, or bunch of plastic bags squeezed into 1 outer bag until correct size and shape.  If this is a bit large you can do like most dancers and wear a bandana or other cloth under this to help absorb sweat when dancing.
You can use this as part of your regalia or as a spectacular display piece.
For shipping -  3 Larger feathers shipped in a plastic bag - you can place in the reed holders when you wear or display
Paul St. John now lives in Maine, near his mother's  Passamaquoddy/Maliseet/Micmac relatives.  He is an enrolled Mohawk and grew up on the Mohawk lands in New York, his father's tribe.   2nd from last photo in slideshow is of Paul St John and a friend.  Last photo is of his Mohawk grandmother, Amelia St John who taught him beading.
Paul St John also makes birchbark, porcupine and coiled sweetgrass baskets, beaded knife cases, barrettes and moccasins among numerous other traditional crafts - check out more of his work in this ebay store.