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RARE Arapaho Western Wyoming Beaded Sheath & Knife

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
RARE Arapaho Western Wyoming Beaded Sheath & Knife
This is a fantastic, rare buffalo hide over parfleche beaded sheath and rare serrated trade knife attributed to the Arapaho Indians of Western Wyoming. The set has wonderful art appeal and the sheath is comprised of Indian brain-tanned buffalo / bison hide over a parfleche rawhide lining, sinew sewn and further showing beautiful geometric beadwork atop. The beadwork shows a Chyenne pink background with pattern in greasy blue, cobalt, medium green, and semi-transparent red with the top edge being beaded in chalk white, cobalt and semi-transparent red as well. The beadwork is done in sinew with a few strands of sinew seen. The top edge has a twist braided original Indian hide belt tie as well as four long twisted hide fringes. The bottom edge shows a long fully beaded Indian hide fringe with four Indian hide fringes off the bottom, each having a rolled tin jingle dangle cone. The sheath is said to date to the Indian Wars era of the 19th Century. There appears to be a few repairs. The sheath is paired with an excellent 19th Century trade knife which shows a long slender skinner blade which has been hand cut with serration, a rare and unique attribute. The knife shows a coffin style two piece hardwood handle with brass inlays over the iron studs, overall having a nice coloring. Arapaho sheaths are less common with this being a nice example, especially with the unusual serrated knife. Provenance: Ex-Tom Hardy Indianapolis collection. Measures overall 26.5”L by 3”W. Knife is 11 7/8”L.