This is an excellent and scarce Crow Apsaalooke Native American Indian beaded cradle fetish dating to circa 1870. The fetish is comprised of Indian tanned hide in a bi-point pattern with long fringes and ties of Indian hide and a geometric pattern in 19th Century period correct glass trade seed and petit beads. The bead colors included greasy yellow, greasy green, red white heart, sky padre light blue, and semi-transparent purple all being sinew sewn. The piece is similar to an umbilical cord fetish in pattern and would have been tied onto a cradle (cardleboard, 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. The ball shows little bead loss and overall displays well. Measures 17.5"L. Museum collection number E1007.