Lot 327

C. 1920-1930 Sioux Beaded Large Knife Sheath

Estimate: $400 - $800

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
The lot features a beaded Indian hide large knife sheath and trade knife attributed to the Sioux Indians dating to circa 1920-1930's. The sheath is made from the remnant from a circa 1920's Sioux Tipi Possible Bag, with its pair selling at our company in 2022 with a high value of $2,500. The piece is comprised of a heavily worked Indian tanned Parfleche rawhide with a waterproof like finish showing a later tanned leather lacing and fantastic early typical Sioux geometric beadwork. The beadwork shows glass trade seed beds in colors of Cheyenne pink, semi-transparent amber, cobalt, along with twelve rolled tin dangle jingle cones with red dyed horse tail hair fringes. Examining the Tipi Possibles bag from the same collection sold by our company in August 2022 this example is identical to the tipi bags top flap, the original tipi bag was likely too worn and the sheath was made from the remnants, a common practice amongst Indians. The knife exhibits a classic antique large trade knife showing a long medium thickness spin blade with two part walnut grips being secured with coppe rivets and carrying a stamped marking. One side of the grip has a brass plaque which is stamped on the verso U.S.I.S., which likely was meant to stand for the United States Indian Service. The plaque is likely a later addition, but cannot be confirmed. The sheath measures 33"L with the fringes and top tie strap and 17.5"L without by 3.25"W. The knife is 13 3/8"L with the blade being 8 7/8"L by 1 3/8"W.