Cheyenne or Ute Strike a Light Beaded Bag

Possibly Cheyenne or Ute

Circa 1880 | Wood, Paints | Item 1855

This is a very charming and well decorated strike a light bag.  The front side is intricately decorated with white, red with white hearts, pink,  green, yellow, light blue and deep blue. The bordered front encloses a teepee like design in the center topped with a red cross. The back side mostly shows the hide which appears to be buffalo with its thick and fuzzy nature.  The back is bordered with red with white hearts, light blue and yellow beads.  It’s a whole different palate of colors on the back. There is a drop on each bottom corner extending down 3.5″. The core of the drops are two pieces of braided hide.  This hide is then wrapped with green, yellow, dark and light blue glass beads.   The beads are sewn onto the hide with sinew.