Lot 138E
Native American, Great Plains, Lakota/Sioux, ca. early 20th century CE. An animal hide (buckskin) umbilical cord fetish (so-called as traditional examples held the umbilical cord of a baby) in the form of a lizard, decorated on the top face with multi-colored glass beads, the composition featuring a zigzagged orange and white stripe against a cornflower blue ground with white striations highlighting the peripheries, neck, and tail. The multi-colored legs and facial appendages are comprised of metal cones and bird feathers. Size: 10" L (25.4 cm)
Twentieth century fetish amulets were used by Native American peoples from the coasts, mountains, desert, and plains regions. Most had secret meanings, some related to the hunt and most dealing with protection. In Central Plains cultures, the lizard as well as the turtle were most often associated with male and female genders, respectively. Most animal fetishes were umbilical or navel containers; however, others were talismans worn as personal protection.
According to an informative text, "Plains Indian mothers greased their newborn babies' skin and powdered it with finely ground dried buffalo manure, decayed cottonwood, or ripe, dry spores of the star puffball fungus. When the cord fell off, the mother would sew it into a small buckskin bag, often shaped like a lizard or turtle, but sometimes plain. This bag was attached to the baby's cradle as its first toy, and later worn around the child's neck or tied to clothing. It was kept for a lifetime as a charm to insure long life, possibly because the cord represented a link between the child's existence before birth and his life after birth." (Articles Relating to Childhood, p. 154)
Provenance: Ex-private , San Francisco, CA Collection; Ex-Larry Stone collection, Piedmont, CA; Ex-Dave Saindon Collection, Berkeley, CA; Ex-Joseph L. Gross Collection
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#119718
- Condition: Fetish has aged gracefully. Buckskin is a bit discolored, commensurate with age and use. Beads appear to be all there, as far as we can see. Possible loss of feathers.
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