This is a beautiful and scarce Northern Cheyenne Native American Indian beaded umbilical cord cradle fetish dating to circa 1870-1880’s. The fetish is comprised of Indian tanned hide with sinew and trade thread sewing having the general traditional shape of a turtle with the top covered in geometric period correct glass trade seed bead beadwork. The beadwork shows colors of greasy yellow, chalk white, cobalt, light sky blue and red white heart. The arms and head area have Indian hide fringes. The hide has some stiffening but overall is supple, some very slight bead loss and small separation at the head from an old repair, but overall good condition. The piece is similar to an umbilical cord fetish in pattern and would have been tied onto a cradle (cradleboard, cradle board, papoose). Provenance: From the renowned Sundog Fine Art Bozeman, Montana collection by Bruce VanLandingham. Bruce VanLandingham was a pillar in the American Indian collecting community and a respected expert. Along with being an avid collector, Bruce was also the sole owner of Sundog Fine Art Gallery in Bozeman, which was both part museum and gallery, this piece is directly from the collection. Measures 6.5”L with (3.5” by 2 3/8” without fringes).