Jim Joshua and his niece Grace Redelk are portrayed in full regalia in this cabinet card produced by the Slackland studio, likely dating to the late nineteenth century. Joshua stands at right wearing a large feathered war bonnet, heavily fringed outer garments, a beaded chest piece, and a layered feather bustle at his side, while holding a long decorated rope or whip aloft in his right hand. Grace Redelk stands to his left in a dark dress ornamented with rows of coin or shell discs, a beaded belt, earrings, and bracelets, her long hair worn in two braids over her shoulders.
The painted studio backdrop depicts a naturalistic landscape with trees and foliage, and a patterned textile is spread across the floor at their feet. Both subjects stand in composed, direct poses that convey considerable presence and dignity before the camera.
The reverse bears the handwritten inscription "Jim Joshua & niece Grace Redelk" in ink, a partially obscured paper label repeating identifying information, and the penciled catalog number 775. The photographer's imprint "Slackland" is printed in script along the lower right edge of the front mount.
From the collection of James Lee Soffer
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