Plains Umbilical Beaded Fetish, Circa 1875

Plains, possibly Cheyenne

Buffalo hide, Glass Beads, Sinew | Item 2224

This is a large and exceptional Plains beaded, buffalo hide umbilical fetish. We think it’s a turtle, but it might be a lizard based on its elongated shape. Dirty yellow alternates with deep blue, green, white and red with white heart beads. Tin cones define the feet. There is a glass beaded element on the back side for hanging. This element was added later. The scar on the under belly can be seen where the umbilical cord was inserted.