132

C. 1870 Sioux Beaded Buffalo Sheath & Knife Sundog

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
C. 1870 Sioux Beaded Buffalo Sheath & Knife Sundog
This is an outstanding, scarce circa 1870’s Sioux Native American Indian fully beaded Buffalo hide and parfleche lined sheath with original 19th Century trade knife from the Sundog Bruce VanLandingham collection. The sheath shows a classic Sioux geometric pattern of original period early glass trade seed beads being completely sinew sewn. This pattern of beadwork can be seen on the Sioux Third-Quarter-19th Century example which sold by Cowan’s in September 2020 for $7,680 and shows the same box within box design; also see 19th Century Sioux Sheath with incredibly similar design which sold by Hindman in September 2022 for $4,192.50; and lastly the 1880 Sioux Sheath with the same box four box design sold by Heritage in July 2021 for $6,000 (all shown w/ bp). The beadwork shows four rectangular boxes at the top with a triangular shape below in colors of Cheyenne pink, semi-transparent rose, greasy light sky padre blue, and cobalt. The sheath is comprised of Indian tanned Buffalo Bison hide over thick parfleche rawhide inside lining. The top has the original braided belt tie and at the bottom a fancy fully beaded fringe with two rolled tin jingle dangle cones having red mineral pigment ocher dyed horse tail hair fringes. The back shows a beaded border design with a triangle design. An old collection museum tag is on the back written in fountain pen “92.” Likely 1892. The sheath has a nice original dark patina throughout and is very well kept with little to no bead loss. Provenance: From the renowned Sundog Fine Art Bozeman, Montana collection and acquired by Bruce VanLandingham. Bruce VanLandingham was a pillar in the American Indian collecting community and a respected expert. Along with being an avid collector Bruce also was the sole owner of Sundog Fine Art Gallery in Bozeman which was both part museum and gallery. One of the best sheath sets from the true early Indian Wars period from a fine rare collection. The knife shows a two piece hardwood grip scales with copper / brass rivets having a slender blade, sometimes referred to as a scalping blade having some of the case hardening color still shown and the back false edge. The sheath itself measures 22”L by 2.5”W. The knife is 11.5”L. The sheath shows very slight bead loss, stiffened hide, a slight tear at the top of the belt tie, a row of jingle cones likely sat at the middle of the sheath which is no longer present.