18

19th C. Blackfeet Tacked Sheath & Trade Knife

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
19th C. Blackfeet Tacked Sheath & Trade Knife
This is an original 19th century tacked harness leather sheath and pewter inlaid trade knife from the Blackfeet of the Northern Plains. The knife was collected from the Blackfeet in Alberta, Canada and is from the Jim Bastian collection in Kansas City, Missouri. The sheath is comprised of thick harness saddle leather in traditional Blackfeet / Blackfoot form with a thicker wrapped top and triangle belt slip at the center outside edge. The entire top and outside edge, in typical Blackfoot form, is elaborately decorated with old metal brass covered trade tacks that are penned over on the back side. The old trade knife has a clip point with a false edge on one side having a two piece hardwood grip scales secured with iron pins and adorned with artful pour lead pewter inlays on both sides. There are also two nickel-like metal large tacks on both sides. The sheath shows some typical drying cracks on the surface of the thick leather with no major damages, overall well kept. The knife shows nice patina with deep color, the hand guard is not present. Provenance: From the Jim Bastian Kansas City, Missouri collection. The sheath measures 12 ½ "L x 4”W. The knife measures 11 ½" L.*