Lot 486

Cheyenne Quilled War Paint Pouch c. 1880's

Estimate: $600 - $1,150

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
This is a unique and scarcely seen flat bag belt pouch used to hold paint, assumedly war paint, from the Cheyenne Native American Indians of the 19th Century. Early Native American warriors and women stored powder paints (natural mineral pigments) and natural ochers (ochres) in these small pouches. The pouches were just large enough to stick their fingers in and apply the paint to their face or the like when needed. This is an unusual piece. The pouch is comprised of Indian tanned Great American Bison Buffalo hide with hand cut hide fringe along the base, original hide belt tie strap, fringe at the top, and adorned on the front with porcupine quill work in a cross pattern in natural cream and orange. The bag shows traces of yellow ocher on the outside of the pouch; the inside still has traces of old red ocher or red face paint. Measures overall 9 inches long with the fringe and 4 ½ inches long by 2 ¼ inches wide without fringe. Provenance: From the ex-collection of Dale Harrison out of Ohio.