This important Native American artifact was given to Frederick C. Monier by Chief Red Shirt in 1902, according to Monier’s handwritten list of relics he received from performers associated with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. Monier recorded that he had first known Red Shirt as early as 1885, and the two met again at the chief’s home in 1902, where this pipe was presented.

 

The artifact itself is a classic Sioux ceremonial pipe, featuring a catlinite (pipestone) T‑form bowl finely incised with crossed geometric lines. The bowl, once cracked, has been professionally repaired, preserving both its structural integrity and its visual harmony. The swirl‑twisted wooden stem is superbly crafted, displaying a deep, dark patina developed through age and handling. The pipe measures 25 ¾ inches in overall length, its proportions and workmanship reflecting the ceremonial importance such objects held within Lakota culture.

 

In his notes, Monier described Red Shirt as a friend of President Ulysses S. Grant, who had presented him with a peace medal—an indication of the chief’s stature and diplomatic presence during the late 19th century. Monier observed that Red Shirt could speak English but preferred to use an interpreter, a detail that underscores both his multilingual ability and his preference for formal communication. In a striking anecdote, Monier wrote that Red Shirt “would not speak to Queen Victoria,” a remark that hints at the chief’s strong sense of autonomy and personal dignity during his time associated with the Wild West Show.