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Southeastern Woodlands Alligator Gar Skin Quiver

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:70.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Southeastern Woodlands Alligator Gar Skin Quiver
Presented in this lot is a Southern Plains Southeastern Woodlands Beaded Alligator Gar Skin Leather Fringed Quiver, circa 19th century. One of the largest freshwater fish in North America, the Native Americans in the South used the alligator gar's scales for arrow heads, breastplates, and as shielding to cover plows. Early settlers tanned the skins to make a strong, durable leather to cover their wooden plows, make purses, and craft various other items. The "golden era" of Southeastern Woodlands beadwork was the late 18th century until the "removal era" in the 1830s, when Native peoples were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Cherokee Nation includes the Cherokee, Chocktaw, Shawnee, Delaware, Chippewa and Natchez people who have had a rich history of beadwork. The quiver features a 5"L beadwork band at the front of the top opening with seed bead colours of greasy white, greasy yellow, periwinkle blue, Pony trader/powder blue, red, and orange; a belt loop opposite. Leather fringe decorates the top and bottom as well as one side length-wise. No bead loss observed. Measures 5"W x 21"L from mouth to fringe tips.