A seated Native American man is depicted in this 9th plate tintype, housed in an ornate embossed gilt frame with an oval mat window. The format and original case suggest a date in the 1860s to 1870s, consistent with the peak period of tintype portraiture. No photographer's imprint is visible.

The subject wears long dark hair falling past his shoulders and a heavily decorated garment adorned with what appear to be hand-colored green ribbon or quillwork accents running vertically along the front. A large circular peace medal rests prominently at the center of his chest, and additional beaded or shell ornamentation is visible at the neck. His hands are folded and rest in his lap, and his expression is direct and composed.

Peace medals were distributed by the United States government to Native American leaders and diplomats as tokens of alliance and goodwill, a practice dating to the late eighteenth century and continuing well into the nineteenth. Their prominent display in portraiture typically signaled political standing or diplomatic recognition within a chief or headman's community.

The reverse shows the tintype removed from its case, with a gold-toned paper mat border still attached. No inscriptions or notations are visible on the reverse.