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Native American Objects For Sale
Northwest TOTEM
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Northwest totem with whale, man figure (possibly prominent individual within the tribe or society where the hands are shown in a holding position which...
Category
1930s American Native American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Cedar
Arapaho Beaded Moccasins
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Arapaho beaded men’s moccasins of brain tanned deer skin with parfleche soles. Trunk piece, unused condition. Great display piece.
Period: First quarte...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Hide, Beads
Pictorial Acoma Olla Pottery
By Acoma
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Hand thrown and painted pictorial Acoma top rim with geometrics below. Hand thrown, thick walled, signed on bottom B. Concho, Acoma, N.M. Primitive and "folky."
Period: Mid-20th century
Origin: Acoma
Size: 12" H x 11" W
Family Owned & Operated
Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Personal Service
Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source.
Native American, Pottery, Acoma Olla...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Pottery
19th Century Native Chippewa Beaded Bandolier
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chippewa fully beaded bandolier bag with full size pocket, floral beading on intermediate panel and delicate edge beading and faceted bead drops. ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Other
Hand Carved Indian Rider Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand carved end of the run horse and rider plaque is in great condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Wood
Circa 1900 Panamint Polychrome Basket
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Panamint rectangular, finely woven, polychrome negative basket with geometric design, sides and bottom.
Period: Circa 1900
Origin: Panamint
Size: 6" x 4" x 2 1/2"
Family Owned & ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Other
Pair of Nuu-chah-nulth Model Totems
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
This pair of colorful larger Nuu-chah-nulth model totem poles were likely made for a curio shop in Seattle or Victoria sometime around 1915. The poles...
Category
1910s Canadian Native American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Cedar
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Carved Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic and somewhat playful mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose.
In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks.
This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood, hand painted and decorated with pigment, and held together with natural fiber. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character with its four eyes, bird beak, and cat-like ears.
The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...
Category
20th Century American Native American Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint, Natural Fiber
Mexican Indian Tree of Life Bolster Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pillow was constructed from a Navajo Tree of Life weaving from the Cedar Ridge area in the northern part of the Navajo Nation and dates to the 1940s. Pictured in this weaving ar...
Category
1940s American Navajo Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Down, Linen, Wool
Mexican / American Indian Weaving Pillows, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing Greek key striped Indian weaving bolster pillows have a thick coco cotton linen backing. The condition is pristine. They are down & feather fill inserts. Sold as a pair.
Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Wool
Pair of Nuu-Chah-Nulth Model Totems
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
This matched pair of Nuu-chah-nulth model poles each feature thunderbirds, wolves, lightning snakes and eagles. The poles are nearly identical and vary only in minute details and color choices. The thunderbirds...
Category
1920s Canadian Native American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Cedar
Chancay Large Standing Female Figure
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Cream slip pottery, large standing female figure with arms raised. Nicely painted red and chocolate-brown face, with a finely detail geometric headband. Scattered mineral deposits on...
Category
15th Century and Earlier South American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Pottery
Chancay Large Standing Female Cuchimilco
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Large standing female figure with raised arms. Relief facial features, with red-orange and chocolate brown painted decoration, on a cream slip ground. Crossed straps on her chest, an...
Category
15th Century and Earlier South American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Pottery
Monumental Makah TOTEM by Young Doctor 108"H
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Makah TOTEM by Young Doctor (1851-1934). Neah Bay, Washington. This monumental pole is a significant piece of Northwest Coast art and Seattle history that was previously owned by Joseph Edward “Daddy” Standley, the founder of the iconic Ye Olde Curiosity Shop in Seattle, Washington. The pole was displayed for years on the grounds of Standley’s “TOTEM Place” estate in West Seattle, across the bay from his iconic ethnographic art and curio shop on the Seattle Waterfront. So popular amongst tourists was the TOTEM Place estate grounds, that the Southwest Seattle Historical Society has stated that “for decades... it was a place where tour buses stopped, and flashbulbs popped. It probably was the most gawked-at, talked-about residence in West Seattle.”
This pole was even featured in situ at Standley’s West Seattle home on a postcard that was sold to visitors through Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. While there are multitudes of model poles and other artifacts available to collectors that were sold as souvenirs from Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, objects that were actually owned by Standley are virtually unknown in the art market. The vast majority of objects that Standley esteemed and considered his private collection have remained with his family and descendants and are on permanent display in the store.
Among the objects owned by Standley to make their way into the Smithsonian was a Spirit Canoe sculpture by Makah master carver Young Doctor (1851-1934), the likely carver of this pole. It would appear that Standley and Young Doctor had a good working relationship as a number of pieces, including this TOTEM, an elaborate transformation mask, the aforementioned Spirit Canoe model at NMAI, and a full model set of a Makah whaling crew and canoe were made for Standley by the artist. This large-scale TOTEM pole is an exceptional example of turn-of-the-20th-century Northwest Coast carving...
Category
Early 1900s American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Cedar
Pair of German Town Indian Weaving Pillows
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These are two different patterns weaving pillows both will black linen pillows. Sold as a group of two pillows. One pillow is 16 x 16 , the larger fringe pillow is 16 x 17.
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Wool
Navajo Sterling Spirit Dancer by Tobey Henderson
Located in Litchfield, CT
This spectacular sterling figure of a Navajo spirit dancer by renowned Navajo silversmith Toby Henderson is highly detailed, circa 1980s, by Toby Henderson, Dine-Navajo, American. Heavily worked and excessively concha stamped, it is the perfect way to connect with the spiritual world through Dine art! Excellent condition.
Remarks: "Bring the balance of self and universe into your home."
Size: 5 1/2 inches high by 2 inches wide
Weight: 88.7 grams
Hallmarks: TH below a partial sun, maker's mark for Tobey...
Category
1980s North American Native American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Navajo Indian Saddle Blanket Weaving Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine handwoven Navajo Saddle blanket monumental pillow is in fine condition with the original corner ties. The backing is a taupe cotton linen. The insert is down and feather fill.
Category
20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Wool
19th Century Chippewa Beaded Bandolier
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Genuine Native American Chippewa floral beaded bandolier bag with full size pocket. Intermediate panel beaded on black velvet. Matching shoulder s...
Category
1890s American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Beads
Mexican / American Weaving Horse Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a hand woven Horse head and horse shoe pillow is custom made. This handwoven weaving has a cool black suede or leather backing. The insert is down and feather.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Wool, Leather
Indigenous Styled Large Handwoven Bird Beak Fancy Lidded Basket
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Indigenous styled lidded basket is presumed to have been made in the United States in circa mid-late 20th century. The maker of the this basket is unknown, but done in the style...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Reed, Softwood
Large Folk Art Outsider Art TOTEM 42"H
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
This massive TOTEM pole is an incredible example of outsider Folk Art. The pole was carved by Lair Forster in Ottawa in 1938 and is an eccentric interpretation of one of the iconic Thunderbird TOTEM Poles of Alert Bay. The painting on the wings is bold in yellow and red, and the designs are fascinating and recall modernist paintings of the period. The eyes of the thunderbird...
Category
1930s Canadian Native American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Cedar
19th Century Native Chippewa Beaded Bandolier
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Extra-large Chippewa beaded bandolier bag with full pocket. Black bead drops ending in blue yarn. Bright and visual vintage piece of Native Americ...
Category
1890s American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Beads
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, somewhat sinister appearing mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the I...
Category
20th Century American Native American Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Sioux Quilled Hair Drop
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Sioux hair drop with brass trade beads, blue beaded background having red and yellow geometric designs. White horsehair drop dyed blue.
Period: Last quarter of the 19th century
Orig...
Category
Late 19th Century American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Other
Tex Coco Mexican / American Indian Weaving Pillows, Individually
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing Indian weaving pillows are in fantastic condition. Some have minor age spots consistent from age and use. Selling individually @ 895.00 each. Wecan give a group price a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Wool
Indian Chief Motif Porcelain Humidor, American, circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fine quality hand painted porcelain humidor is in excellent all original condition with no chips, repairs, or overpaint; nice bright crisp paint and detail. No mark, but definitely American, circa 1900 era. Note the detail to the Indian's face and his elaborate headdress. Native American Indians were especially attracted to tobacco and related products and relished the opportunity to pose for pictures on that topic; note cigar store "Indians", match safes, and humidors. This is a very desirable and item of tobacciana with the Indian subject matter and the attractive multicolored hand painted Indian chief with headdress, probably of note but I have not been able to accurately identify him; quite possibly "Big Bow" an Indian warrior who has been identified on other similar objects. Grace Young...
Category
Early 1900s American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chippewa Quilled Birch Bark Basket
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chippewa quilled birch bark box with fully quilled lid with pictorial of moose and grass. Three dimensional geometric design surrounds and also on the side. B...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Other
Unique Diorama Depicting a North-American River Scene with Natives and Settlers
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Unique diorama depicting a North American river-scene
United States of America, early 20th century
Measures: H 36 x W 68.5 x D 34 cm
The dioram...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Objects
Materials
Other
Eskimo Model Kayak, Wood Covered with Seal Skin, Lined with Bone
Located in Leuven , BE
What makes this model so special is that all the hunting devices are still present: spears, harpoons, spear thrower, wood float board, and bladder, paddles and other equipment used for seal hunting. Please note how well these are made in a stunning combination of wood and bone and lashed on deck under bone and sinew spear securers. Despite the kayak frame...
Category
1930s American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood
Northwest Coast Mask, Native American Killer Whale 'Orca', Wood with red & black
Located in Denver, CO
A carved wooden mask originating in the Pacific Northwest Coast. The design on the face is a Native American Killer Whale or Orca motif in black and red. The title, date and the arti...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
Pair of 1930s Tlingit Totems
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Tlingit culture is divided into two moieties, or groups: Eagles and Ravens. These groups, also called clans, are exogamous – which means they marry out to the other group – and are m...
Category
1930s American Native American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Cedar
Monumental Northwest Coast Feast Ladle
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Tribe: Northwest Coast, Tlingit
Date: Early to Mid 19th Century
Materials: Mountain sheep horn
Dimensions: L. 20 1/2" x W. 6 1/4" x D. 3"
Condit...
Category
Early 19th Century North American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Wood
Salmon Nootka Native American Hand Drum
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Nootka hand drum with polychrome salmon, brass tacks, brain tanned handhold, original sale tag of $40.
Period: First quarter of the 20th century
Origin: Noo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Hide
American Diorama, Follower Gerrit Schouten, Carib Indigenous Village
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Follower of Gerrit Schouten (second half of the 19th century)
Diorama depicting a Carib Indigenous camp
Carved wood, papier-mâché, paint on paper...
Category
19th Century Surinamer Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Clay, Twig, Wood, Paper, Feathers
Exceptional Surinam-Themed Amsterdam Long-Case Clock
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Surinam-themed Amsterdam long-case clock
The Netherlands, 1746-1756, dial signed Nicolaas Weylandt/Amsterdam
The case of the clock is made of Rio palisander veneer and snakewood, with the arch showing a painted scene of the harbour of Paramaribo, Fort Zeelandia and Dutch ships in anchorage, the spandrels decorated with figural representations of the four continents, the centre of the dial painted with Mercury, the god of trade, seated on a bale signed VCS (Vereenigde Compagnie Suriname), and one of the barrels bearing the initials “RBS,” on the left the river god of the Surinam river, with a Dutch three-master in the background.
Measures: H 259 x W 60 x D 35 cm (case)
Diameter 32 cm (clock dial)
This exceptionally rare long-case clock probably was ordered by one of the many wealthy families living along the Amsterdam canals that owned or had shares in plantations in Surinam. It’s a successful marriage of
the work of an accomplished 18th century Amsterdam clockmaker, a Dutch cabinetmaker working with exotic tropical timbers, a woodcarver familiar with both Dutch Rococo design and Surinamese iconography, and
a painter with knowledge, whether first-
hand or through other visualisations, of the Paramaribo waterfront. In the production of this Gesamtkunstwerk, only the name of the clockmaker is known: Nicloaas Weylandt (circa 1700-1754), who had a business situated on the Nieuwendijk near the Haarlemmersluis in Amsterdam from 1742 until his death.
The case is made of imported timbers from Surinam; Rio-palisander and snakewood. A very similar clock-case, veneered in walnut,
is illustrated in J. Zeeman, De Nederlandse staande klok...
Category
Mid-18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Palisander
Native America Ancient Hand Carved Stone Kachina Effigy Sculpture
Located in South Burlington, VT
From Native America Southwest comes this unique ancient hand carved stone "Kachina" sculpture, Chaco culture, Farmington, New Mexico region. ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Stone
Northern Plains Breastplate
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Northern Plains bone tube breastplate with brass beads, Russian blues and shell conch having one blue padre bead and two brass beads.
Period: Early 20...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Bone
19th Century Sioux Split Horn Headdress
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Genuine 19th Century Native American made Sioux split horn bonnet with buffalo hide liner. Long dangling ermine tails, tips beaded with greasy yellows and red hearts tipped with horse hair. Small brain tanned thong with hawk bells connecting both horns. Beaded brow band, matching horn...
Category
19th Century American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Hide
Native America Ancient Hand Carved Stone Pipe Idol Sculpture
Located in South Burlington, VT
From Native America and a collection dating to 1951, comes this unique old hand carved stone human effigy pipe figure idol , likely Hopewell culture with its bun head and ear spool...
Category
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Stone
Mexican / American Serape in Unusual Colors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine Mexican / American serape weaving is in pristine condition and wonderful unusual colors. The fringe is very good too.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Wool
Pueblo Harvest Dance, vintage Painting by Jose Roybal (San Ildefonso Pueblo)
By Jose Roybal
Located in Denver, CO
An original watercolor painting by San Ildefonso (Pueblo) Native American artist, Jose Roybal (1922-1978) depicting the Pueblo Harvest Dance. Presented in ...
Category
1970s American Native American Vintage Native American Objects
Materials
Paper
Faw Faw Hat
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Region / Tribe: Kansas/ Nebraska border/ Otoe-Missouria
circa 1891-1895
Material: Various cloths, glass beads, cotton thread, shell disk
Dimension: Diameter 10 inches, height 2 3/...
Category
1890s North American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Beads
Navajo Indian Weaving Chinlie Pillows, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These fine Navajo Indian weaving pillows are sold as pairs. There are two pairs in stock. They are in fantastic condition.
Category
20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Linen, Wool
19th Century Native Sauk Beaded Bandolier
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Genuine geometric Native American Sauk people bandolier bag with loom beaded geometric panels. Blue and black yarn tuffs. Minor deterioration on red salvage, not distracting. Great v...
Category
1890s American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Beads
Pair Plateau Parfleche Packets
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Matched pair of Plateau parfleche packets with diamonds and stylized flowers and brain tanned ties. Difficult to find a pair. Very nice, rare design.
The term parfleche was first co...
Category
Early 1900s American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Other
Mexican / American Indian Weaving Birds Pillows, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These birds in flight Mexican / American Indian weaving pillows in black and orange colors. The backings are in black cotton linen. Sold in pairs. Two pairs in stock.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Linen, Wool
19th Century Blackfeet Split Horn Headdress
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Blackfeet or crow split horn headdress collected by Ron Hall at Browning, Montana from grandson of Edward Axe (Blackfeet) who acquired from Jack B...
Category
Late 19th Century American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Hide, Beads, Feathers
19th Century Assiniboine Beaded Bandolier
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Genuine native Assiniboine fully beaded bandolier bag with full pocket. Floral and leaf design with green bugle bead drops ending in pompoms. Full...
Category
1890s American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Beads
Eastern Woodland Crooked Knife
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Eastern woodland crooked knife. Solid handle having an exquisite hand chipped carved American Folk Art style geometric design. The blade is hand forged i...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Wood
Indigenous Sheyka Sterling Silver and Inlaid Figural Rabbit Brooch or Pendant
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Zuni Indigenous American sterling silver and inlaid gemstone figural rabbit brooch or pendant was made by Porfillo and Ann Sheyka. The piece was handmade in most likely the late...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Native American Objects
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose.
In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks.
This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood and hand painted/ decorated with pigment. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character.
The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...
Category
20th Century American Native American Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Native American Style Coral and Glass Beads Turquoise Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
Native American style double-strand necklace with coral and turquoise beads. Top of necklace is double stranded and tapered out from the centre. Large double beaded turquoise knot fl...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Materials
Coral, Alabaster
Vintage Buckskin Custom Pillow with Horn Latch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine buckskin leather custom made pillow has a old horn for a latch and in very good condition. This fine and soft buckskin is so fine and smooth. The insert is a down and feath...
Category
Late 20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Leather
Native American Parfleche Box, Sioux, 19th Century Painted Hide Plains
Located in Denver, CO
Antique Sioux (Native American/Plains Indian) Parfleche in a box form constructed of rawhide and intricately painted in an abstract design with hourglass and geometric motifs with natural pigments and red trade cloth.
At the time this was created, the Sioux Indians were nomadic and are associated with vast areas of the Great Plains of the United States including present-day North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Montana.
Authenticity is guaranteed.
Box is in very good condition - please contact us for a detailed condition report.
Parfleches are rawhide containers which were fundamental to the Plains way of life. Functioning essentially as protective travelling suitcases, they enabled the nomadic tribes to effectively pursue buffalo herds and migrate between seasonal camps. So critical were they to a nomadic existence that over 40 tribes are known to have historically produced parfleches. Collectively, these tribes inhabited an area which encompassed the entirety of the Plains, as well as the parts of the Southwest, the Transmontane and Western Plateau regions.
Parfleches were, out of necessity, robust and versatile objects. They were designed to carry and protect within them anything from medicinal bundles to seasonal clothing or food. In fact, it was because of the containers’ robusticity and variety that parfleches earned their name in the Anglo world. Derived from parer (to parry or turn aside) and fleche (arrow), the word parfleche was coined by 17th century French Canadian voyageurs and used to describe indigenous objects made from rawhide.
Despite their common utilitarian function, parfleches served as one of the major mediums through which Plains Indian tribes could develop their long-standing tradition of painting. In fact, it is in large part due to the parfleche that tribal style emerged. Even though parfleche painting developed simultaneously with beading and weaving, painting as an artistic tradition held particular importance in tribal culture. Believed to have evolved from tattooing, it had always been used as a conduit through which tribal and individual identity could be expressed. As such, many tribeswomen were deeply committed, some even religiously, to decorating their parfleche either with incised or painted motifs that were significant to them and/or the tribe. For some tribes, such as the Cheyenne, the decorative processes which surrounded parfleche production were sacred. For others, it seems that their parfleche designs shared an interesting artistic dialogue with their beadwork, indicating a more casual exchange of design motifs. This particular relationship can be seen in Crow parfleche...
Category
Late 19th Century American Native American Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Hide
Antique Navajo Chief Blanket
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sometimes categorized as the fourth-phase chief blanket, this wonderful piece of Navajo textile art is well preserved and can be dated to 1890-1910. Wov...
Category
1890s American Navajo Antique Native American Objects
Materials
Wool
Yupik Yup'ik Native American Alaska Polychrome Wood Anthropomorphic Spirit Mask
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peo...
Category
20th Century American Native American Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Navajo Indian Geometric Weaving Pillows, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine pair of Navajo Indian weaving pillows are in fine condition and have cotton linen backings. Sold as a pair.
Category
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Native American Objects
Materials
Wool, Linen
Native America Old Natural Stone Human Head Effigy Sculpture
Located in South Burlington, VT
From Native America Southwest comes this unique natural stone "human head" effigy. It was discovered in the Tesuque area of New Mexico in 1960. It is a natural sandstone concretion...
Category
20th Century American Native American Objects
Materials
Sandstone
Antique and Vintage Native American Objects
As part of thoughtful home decor, antique and vintage Native American objects — works created by Native American artists and artisans — can bring rich textures and colors into a space.
Art collecting can be done in a socially and environmentally conscious way that reinvests in local communities. Tribal art is traditionally crafted with earth-friendly materials that respect the environment.
Textiles have long been objects of art and utility for Native Americans. Traditional weaving techniques involve material made from plant and animal fibers. Different tribes have woven distinctive patterns and colors into blankets, rugs and garments, such as the vibrant geometric shapes woven from wool by the Navajo.
After metal and glass beads were introduced to North America by Europeans, they became a popular form of art. Intricate beading appears on clothing, jewelry and other objects. Beadwork not only looks stunning, but it is also deeply emblematic of Native American ethnicity and can be used to pass stories handed down from generation to generation. Beaded garments have often been commissioned for important events like weddings, dances and celebrations.
Native Americans initially created pottery out of necessity to carry water and store food. For centuries, artists have decorated jugs, vases and other vessels, from designs etched into clay to experimentation with firing methods for unique finishes.
Find a diverse collection of colorful and culturally enriching antique and vintage Native American decorative items, objects and much more on 1stDibs.
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Native American Fringe
Antique Native American Headdress
Native American Saddle Blankets
Antique Native American Blankets
Native Totem Pole
Native American Artifacts
Indian Drum
Native American North Woods
Native American Blankets
Native American Dress Antique
Pacific Northwest Indian
Black Native American Pottery
Native American Pueblo Pottery
Native Beadwork
Antique American Indian Textiles
Native American Totem Pole
Canadian Indigenous
Vintage American Indian Blankets