This is a truly stunning and historic circa 1860-1870 fully porcupine quilled dag buffalo hide knife sheath and old stag trade knife from the Northern Plains from a Museum East Coast collection. The Northern Plains sheath is from the Mandan or Gros Ventres. The Indian Wars era piece shows very rare fully covered quillwork in fine detail in stunning form. The sheath is comprised of Indian brain-tanned buffalo bison hide that is sinew sewn and is decorated with side-cut Indian brain-tanned buffalo hide fringes framing the outside edge as well as rolled tin jingle dangle cones framing the bottom and along the center of the sheath. The entire front of the sheath is covered in masterful, fine porcupine quill quillwork showing a geometric pattern with natural white and natural mineral dyed yellow and light green. The top edge shows a small example of old-1800’s period glass trade seed beads with greasy light blue and the original Indian brain-tanned buffalo hide belt tie is still present. The sheath shows amazing, authentic patina from honest age and use with dark coloring on the back and some slight stiffening with mostly supple well kept hides and little to no quill loss, a true rarity in museum-quality condition. The sheath is paired with a circa 1850-1870’s period Northern Plains trade knife with old stag antler handle showing a silver concho on the bottom and deep yellow patina, the knife blade is stamped with a period mid-1800’s mark. Provenance: From an East Coast Museum collection where the piece was proudly on display. The sheath itself is 10.25-inches long by 3-inches wide (the sheath body itself without ties and fringes). The knife is 13-inches long.