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Southern Arapaho Miniature Awl Case c. 1890

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:125.00 USD Estimated At:650.00 - 1,150.00 USD
Southern Arapaho Miniature Awl Case c. 1890
This is an unusual rare miniature hide awl case from the Southern Arapaho dating to circa 1890. The piece is comprised of Indian tanned hide with rolled tin jingle dangle cones and covered in a mineral pigment ocher green and red dyed weaving. Tge case has a sewn lid with Indian hide belt tie an wide bifurcated fringe at the base. The piece is sinew sewn and has an original old collection tag which is fountain ink hand written "Arapahoe Myi Awl Case" and "KH / 10". Miniatures such as this are immensly scarce with this showing some slight loss to the woven wrapping (similar to porcupine quillwork) but overall well preserved. Provenance: From the renowned Sundog Fine Art Bozeman, Montana collection 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 was also the sole owner of Sundog Fine Art Gallery in Bozeman, which was both part museum and gallery, this piece is directly from the collection. The ball shows little bead loss and overall displays well. Measures 9.5"L with top strap and bottom fringes. Museum collection number E1008.