Circa 1930's-40's-RARE-MUSEUM-COLLECTIBLE-Navajo-Berry Colored Velvet Shirt-734 Hand Forged Sterling Buttons/Conchos-XSmall-Small

This needs a home where it can be displayed like any piece of "Rare/Collectible" Native American art just like you’d see in a museum..Personally, it deserves to be displayed in it's own special case, rather than worn in order to maintain it's historical value & appeal. (but that’s your call!) These vintage sterling studded Navajo velvet shirts are extremely hard to come across, since they are either in museums or in avid collectors hands.Truly for the serious collector of historical Native American artifacts that have stories behind them. This is one seriously designed Navajo shirt with not many in the condition this has,nor having the amount of sterling! Many times when & if you do find these,there are usually rips,fading,conchos missing.. The top is said to be from the circa 1930's-40's era (give or take) & is in amazing condition for it's age! There are no conchos missing,nor do I see any obvious fading of color.The material is more like a velveteen rather than a silk velvet,so the material is quite heavy,which personally is the perfect weighted fabric when you have this many conchos that are sewn atop of it! The color is what I would call a berry color. All the sterling is hand forged & the front is literally covered with a range of different size sterling pieces,from dime size hand stamped buttons,to 2 different type of fluted,to round studs.If you zoom in on the photos,you can witness the raw style handwork that each have.There is actually a pattern to the design(See photos)..I counted around 246 buttons alone on the front of the shirt. The sleeves are covered in their entirety with a range in size from a 6 mm sterling stud to a 9 mm. Counting just one sleeve,the front side has approximately 128 studs on the front & the back of the sleeve has about 116 for a total of 244! (X's that by 2 for the other sleeve since they look identical) This has sterling "Grandmother Tips" that have little cabochons of turquoise & are sewn into the collar & then pinned to the base of the shirt.(See photo).I was told that the triangular corduroy 'gussets' may have been added at a later date to the armpit. If you look at the last photo,you will see the shirt turned inside out & how the metal is sewn onto the fabric.. Please refer to all the photos since they play a major role to the shirt & of course if you need to see the remaining photos,you can either email me or go to my personal website.Questions? Email me! FIRM ON PRICE ********************************* MEASUREMENTS TAKEN LAYING FLAT FROM BACKSIDE MEASURED ON ONE SIDE ONLY.. Please DOUBLE everything but length & sleeves measurements ********************************* TRIBE: Navajo CIRCA: 1930'S-40'S METAL: Sterling (Tested) METAL FINISH: Darkened with Natural Aged Patina AMOUNT OF BUTTONS & STUDS: Approximately 734 WEIGHT: 1 pound-10 ounces SIZE: XS-Small SHOULDER TO SHOULDER: 18" UNDERARM: 21" BUST: 17-3/4" WAIST TO BOTTOM: 17" SLEEVES: 18" LENGTH: 27" (MEASURED FROM CENTER COLLAR BACKSIDE TO BOTTOM) CONDITION: No holes,no missing buttons/studs,a few of the smaller studs have dings,but there are so many on this you have to really look close! It's in remarkable condition for it's age.This has 'age',so I do not know what kind of household it came from.This has not been cleaned & is sold as is.You will be purchasing a "Used" item! Comes protected in a box. *************************** SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT: Anything with a high price tag, will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement & will come insured (reflected in shipping price).. If you're not home in the day & need it shipped where it can be signed for,please change that in your "Ship To" section before I create the shipping label***I'm sorry if this may be an inconvenience, but I do not ship expensive pieces without one. This is for your safety & mine. I am not a professional photographer, but I do try to do my best at giving you accuracy in color. ***** "If you find the item is not as great as I think it is,it does not mean the item is 'not as described'"***