This is an exceptional authentic 19th Century Cheyenne Native American Indian fully beaded ration ticket pouch with authentic Indian Reservation period U.S. Indian Service ration ticket from the Lame Deer, Montana reservation. The Lame Deer Indian Agency Reservation was in Lame Deer, Montana and was established a few years after the federal government created the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in 1884. The pouch shows an Indian tanned hide construction and shows all period correct glass trade seed beads in a traditional geometric design showing a chalk white background with cobalt and greasy yellow patterns along with being accented by old tarnished hawk trade bells. The top flap also shows a beaded design and the original tie strap still attached. Reservation Indians made and wore these pouches to safely store their weekly ration tickets, without their tickets they would not be given their needed food and provisions. The bag includes the original ration ticket which is handwritten by the original Cheyenne family stating that it is from the Lame Deer Agency dating to 1889 from the “Brave Bear Band” and is for “Family No. 132” and also states the name of tribe as Cheyenne. The bottom of the ticket shows nine cross punch outs from receiving a ration. An almost identical example from the famous and respected John painted collection can been seen pictured in the 1992 Painter Book, “American Indian Artifacts: The John Painter Collection” on page 61, figure 63 (a photo of the cover and page is included digitally for reference). Other examples of ration tickets can be seen from the North Dakota Historical Society and the Canton Asylum for Insane Indians. Provenance: The piece was pictured in the 2009 book, “The Mark Francis Collection of American Indian Art” on page 149, figure 241. Truly a unique and very rare original piece. The bag measures overall 5 inches long by 3 inches wide. For a complete representation of condition and for additional images please call 800-686-4216. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view each image and preview the item to determine condition.