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Parfleche knife sheath with painted designs / Native American; Plains

Essay/Description

A leather knife sheath, possibly made from a parfleche, with painted designs.

Most sheaths were made to match the shape of the blade, the most common blade form being curved on one end and straight on the other. The sheaths typically covered not only “the blade but also the majority of the handle,” which decreased the chance of the knife falling out or getting lost (Taylor 2001, 52). Quillwork and beadwork decorated the sheaths, and the designs used often signified the owner (Taylor 2001, 51-54).

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Title(s): 
Parfleche knife sheath with painted designs
Culture: 
Native American; Plains
Date: 
19th century
Period: 
Historic
Place: 
Great Plains, United States of America
Materials/Techniques: 
leather
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
89.58
Department: 
Not On View

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