Beaded Knife Sheath, Crow or Sioux
Knife sheath: Native tanned rawhide - cow or bison; beading thread - sinew, sewing thread - sinew; beads - translucent amber, light blue, cobalt blue, yellow; beads are irregular, beadwork only present on one side of sheath; lazy stitched, light blue field. Beadwork pattern is divided into two sections -- 1/3 of pattern: two horizontal, perpendicular columns with stacked arrowhead patterns; main body of these designs are amber beads with one row of cobalt blue and one row of yellow beads on each outside edge. Lower 2/3 of pattern is separated from upper 1/3 by deer skin fringe (badly worn). Other 2/3 of pattern: 7 rows of beads running vertically; 4 'crosses of the morning star' patterns with amber beaded centers and cobalt blue beaded points outlined at top and bottom with one row of yellow beads. A pattern of amber beads mimics the shape of the sheath in the center of the design. Closed seam of sheath and raw edge of rawhide is whip-stitched with sinew. Open seam of sheath sewn togehter with rawhide strap - slip stitched. Crude copper wire in one corner near opening with fragment of deer skin thong attatched. On unbeaded side of sheath near top is a round hole that appears to be from a bullet. (Both 97.346 A and B are in photo above.)
- Object: Beaded Knife Sheath, Crow or Sioux
- Artist: unknown
- Circa: 1880's
- Dimensions: 9 x 2 3/4"
- Culture Area: Plains, Central
- Cultural Group: Crow or Sioux
- Cultural Context: Worn at the waist to carry knife. Such sheaths were used to carry hunting or skinning knives, and were beaded. They were often carried or worn by women. Plains warriors kept their knives in a large sheath or case. Usually the sheath was large enough to swallow up the knife. This protected the handle and blade against moisture and prevented the knife from falling out. The sheath was made of heavy rawhide, sometimes simply folded over and stitched. Workday cases were left fairly plain or painted with geometric designs. Others were spectacular works of art decorated with fringe, brass tacks and beaded ceremonial cases. These were made to enhance the warrior's regalia. The earliest method of carrying a knife was to suspend it in a case on a loop around the neck. Later, the knife in its sheath was attached to the belt.
- Donor: Connie Johnson
- Catalog #: 97.346