Large Cheyenne Umbilical Fetish

Cheyenne

Last quarter 19th century | Buffalo hide, Glass Beads, buffalo hair, Sweetgrass | Item 2129

This large, beaded Cheyenne umbilical fetish is likely a turtle, but that correct answer can only come from its maker. The earlier, glass beads (whie, dark blue, light blue, greasy yellow, red with white hears and pink) are lazy stitched onto a buffalo hide. The pouch is stuffed with sweetgrass and buffalo hair. There is an incision on the underside 2 3/4″ long that ends with one, white glass bead. There are small holes on the underside that shows the sweetgrass and buffalo hair. This a rare, large size, and the art on it is beautiful.