19th C. Native American Plains Bow, Arrow, & Pipe Bag

Native American, Plains, ca. 1860 to 1890 CE. A beautiful pipe bag made from deer hide with stunning symbols delineated in beads of translucent pink, spring green, royal blue, periwinkle blue, claret red, gold, and white hues on both sides. Conical metal beads with red fibers, a lower register of porcupine quill wrapped vertical bands - dyed in purple, red, teal, and gold hues, as well as a long fringe further adorn the piece.

The three small crosses on the side of the bag represent the sacred cardinal directions, and the triangular motifs probably represented stylized clouds. Attached to the upper panel of hide on one side are wonderful tassels made of red porcupine wrappings, deer hide, and metal with red fiber termini. Most likely created by a Lakota (Sioux) woman around the year 1890, this is a beautifully executed example with exquisite beaded panels.

Metal tip on arrow shows nice age patina. Some minor loss to feathers and wrapping at opposite end. Some loss to the sinew on one side of the bow, but much remains. The bow has also aged gracefully. There is a bit of loss and some loosening to the porcupine quill wrapping and some loss to the red fibers emerging from the metal beads. The hide has darkened with age and shows a couple of small holes, but is in otherwise excellent condition. Fringe also shows darkening, staining, and a few losses, but most has survived and is quite nice.