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BUFFALO RAWHIDE STORAGE JAR – AN EARLY FRONTIER
PIECE FOUND IN NEW MEXICO: One of those
wonderful early frontier pieces that used to surface
with some regularity when the hunting was still good off
the beaten track, this Buffalo Rawhide Storage Jar was
found at a small market place in northern New Mexico in
the 1960 – 1970 time frame, and until recently it was
held in an old Texas collection. The type of storage
jar used by Native Americans, freighters and settlers to
store grain, beans or any other commodity that needed to
be protected from the weather or scavengers, this is a
very unique piece from the days when buffalo hides were
still commonly available on the southern plains.
Measuring 17” high, 14” wide, 7” thick at the base, with
a 2 ½” diameter throat, this jar or bag was fashioned
very simply, but effectively with a rolled edge seam
stitched with a twisted jute cord. The rawhide is very
thick and the jar has held its shape very well through
the years with a nice even aged color. The seam is
fully intact and there is a single old repair to one
side approximately 2” long – probably to seal a cut made
in the hide when the buffalo was skinned. The throat
appears to have been sealed with a carved wooden plug.
At one time this jar was little more than a functional
necessity of frontier life, but given the slim chances
of survival of utilitarian items, it is a wonder that it
has survived in this condition – a true rarity. A great
artifact to display in any one of several western themed
collections, this unique buffalo hide jar is certain to be a
conversation starter.
SOLD
NOTE: As with many unique
items like this jar, it is difficult to transmit a sense
of size with a description and photographs, so below
I've included a photo of the jar next to one of our only
two employees, Newley, a miniature dachshund - he runs the
employee snack bar when he's not asleep. And
no, he is not included in the sale of this item.
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