48114

Sioux Baby Carrier, with "Tree Dweller"

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Sioux Baby Carrier, with  Tree Dweller
<B>Sioux Baby Carrier, with Tree Dweller Figure Beaded on Flap</B></I><BR>Circa 1890<BR>Length 28 in. as pictured<BR><BR>This typical example is made of native tanned cowhide, glass seed beads, dentalium shells, calico cloth, and is sinew sewn. The cradle is beaded with a repetitive pattern of crosses in red, navy blue, and sky blue arranged in bands against a yellow background, then separated by wide green lanes. A section of calico is sewn to the base of the cradle along with hide laces. An interesting and perhaps unique element is the horned figure beaded on the reverse side of the top flap. This may be <I>Canotida,</B></I> the "tree dweller" or "little forest dweller" well known in both Dakota and Lakota mythology. "He is usually malevolent and often 'loses' people in the woods or hills. He sometimes appears to people in visions, however, and if he is secured by a person as a spirit helper in this manner he can be summoned to work for the good of the visionary by performing the proper ceremony."<BR><BR>Provenance<BR>Dennis Lessard, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Butterfields, Sale 7307E, Lot 5248, March 25, 2002.<BR><BR>Reference<BR>Howard, James, "The Tree Dweller Cults of the Dakota"; <I>Journal of American Folklore,</B></I> Volume 68, Number 268, April/June, 1955, p. 170.<BR><BR>