A Nez Perce woman, Stella "Shillal" Two Slap is portrayed in this cabinet card portrait, seated directly before the camera against a painted landscape backdrop. The photograph dates to the late nineteenth century and carries no photographer's imprint on the reverse. Her direct, composed gaze and formal seated posture convey considerable presence within the studio setting.
She wears a dark dress layered with an elaborate draping of what appear to be dentalia shell strands arranged in wide, sweeping rows across her chest and shoulders, a form of adornment associated with wealth and status among several Plains and Plateau peoples. A beaded or decorated belt cinches the dress at the waist, and a striped trade-cloth shirt is visible at the sleeves and collar. Large circular earrings hang from each ear, her hair falls in two long braids, and her beaded moccasins with geometric diamond motifs are visible at the base of the image. A fringed blanket with bold geometric patterning drapes over her lap and across the seat.
The name "Shillal" appears as a nickname in quotation marks on both inscriptions, suggesting it was a known or habitual designation used alongside her given name Stella and her family name Two Slap.
The reverse bears two inscriptions of the name "Stella 'Shillal' Two Slap," one in blue ink and one on an affixed paper label, along with a penciled price notation of "400."
From the collection of James Lee Soffer
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