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NORTHERN PLAINS BEADED
KNIFE SHEATH – A LARGE, VERY ATTRACTIVE SHEATH WITH
GREAT EYE APPEAL:
This is a beautifully executed Northern Plains beaded
knife sheath made for a large butcher or skinning knife,
measuring just over 11” long and 3 ¼” wide at the top
opening. In spite of the obvious signs of age and use,
this sheath has survived in excellent condition and
displays very well.
The sheath is constructed
of rawhide, with the beadwork applied to brain tanned
hide that covers the sheath. The strikingly attractive
design incorporates dark blue, red-white heart and
greasy yellow seed beads. The beadwork is applied in
tight, well executed lanes running the length of the
sheath, and the transition into the curve at the bottom
of the sheath was very well done so as not to disrupt
the design, evidence that the woman who made this sheath
was skilled and experienced.
The side seam of the sheath
was sewn with sinew, and the buckskin covering was
attached with sinew as well. The beadwork was applied
with a brown cotton thread, consistent with much of the
beadwork done in the last quarter of the 19Th
Century and first decade of the 20Th
Century. The beadwork is tight and shows little wear or
damage, save for a small spot on the lower end of the
folded edge where four rows of beads in one lane has
been worn away – evidence that this sheath was worn and
used, and not fabricated for the tourist trade.
The beads and hide show
aging and patina consistent with old beadwork and the
brain tanned thong for attaching the sheath to a belt
shows the same level of wear and use, and from all
appearances is original to the period of use of the
sheath.
With such a striking design
and substantial size, this Beaded Knife Sheath will be a
dramatic addition to your collection, and would a
perfect piece to display on a Model 1876-79 Prairie
Belt, one of the 1880’s Mills Cartridge Belts, or on a
civilian buffalo hunter’s cartridge belt.
SOLD
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