This is an exceptional circa 1870-1880’s buffalo Indian hide beaded bowcase and quiver from the Arapaho from the ex-collection of Steven and David Pickelner. The lot features a bowcase, quiver that are paired with original arrows and a bow. The bowcase and quiver is comprised of Indian tanned Buffalo / Bison hide with four prominent fully beaded sections on the ends and openings of both bowcase and quiver. The bag is sinew sewn and the beadwork shows classic Indian Wars era Arapaho / Arapahoe bead geometric beadwork with a prominent triangle pattern on a white background all done in 19th-century period correct glass trade seed beads. The beadwork shows colors of greasy yellow, cobalt, red white heart, light sky blue and chalk white. The beadwork sections are framed in red stroud trade clothe and both cases have amazing long frilly, impressive Indian hide fringes, as well as the original shoulder strap still intact. There are five original Arapaho 19th-century arrows included, two of which show the original iron arrowhead held into place with sinew sewing; these also shows red mineral pigment dye paint, arrow fletching that are sinew sewn and expertly carved nocks. The bow is also an original Arapaho 19th-century example, carved from hardwood with a sinew backed front an the body painted with red, yellow and black mineral pigment dye colors. The bow shows sinew wrappings and the original sinew bow string.

Provenance: From a prominent and noted David Pickelner and Steven Pickelner, one of the finest early beadwork collections. The bowcase and quiver are extraordinarily well preserved with nice supple hides having good coloring and little to no bead loss with stunning fringes. The bow and arrows show normal wear indicative of being well used, and likely dated to slightly before the case, circa 1860-1870’s, with the case being made for the set. Overall the set measures 58-inches long by 50-inches wide including fringes. The bow by itself measures 39.5-inches long and the arrows are about 25.5-inches.