The lot features an exceedingly rare authentic original beaded war lance / sword case from the Crow Native American Indians from the 19th Century. The piece is also paired with a U.S. Cavalry pattern sword. These are commonly referred to as a “Lance Case” and in this pattern were documented as being from the Crow Native American Indians of the 19th Century. After the advent of the common trade sword the “Lance Case” was almost exclusively used for housing swords and can often be referred to as a “War Sword Case” (see Native Arts Trading, Skinner’s Auction example from 2010 referred toas a North Plains Beaded Hide Sword Case Crow 1900-, and NAAC sold case in 2018 “The cases were historically known to house the swords used by the Indians during the Indian Wars”). The cases are made of three separate sections of parfleche rawhide and hardened Buffalo Bison hide sewn together tightly with hide lacing. The front triangular section are typically beaded on both sides, with long sections of thin, hand cut buckskin Indian hide fringes hanging down. The triangular section is attached to the two separate, thin cut sections of parfleche hide which are narrower. Ewers refers to authentic examples in his “Crow Indian Beadwork: A Descriptive and Historic Study” 1985 as one of the thin strips featuring etched and scratched (incised) lines and triangle shapes with surrounded areas being painted, typically mineral pigment polychrome, dark blue making the etched areas stand out in contrast and the back side being lightly etched or painted solid and lastly the beaded hide panels with old red stroud trade clothe being used at the lacing and beadwork. This example has the prominent triangular lance head shaped end with red stroud wool trade clothe and original period correct glass trade beadwork in a traditional geometric pattern having the thin Indian hide fringes being wrapped in natural cream / white porcupine quillwork and the hide having a nice dark coloring. The beadwork includes colors of chalk white, sky padre blue, Cheyenne pink, cobalt, semi-transparent green, semi-transparent red and corn yellow. This example, unlike most, still has a hide shoulder strap attached with the original tabs below of hide, red wool stroud trade clothe and Indian hide fringe having beadwork as well. The sheath or case section of parfleche have the traditional etched triangular and double bar sections with blue mineral pigment dyed background. Included in the lot is what appears to be a U.S. Cavalry pattern sword having a long curved blade with brass hand “D” guard and pommel with leather grip being wire wrapped. It is unclear if the sword is original to the piece or a later addition. For similar document examples of these rare Crow beaded sword cased see “Native American Weapons” by Colin Taylor (2001, page 57); “Art of the American Frontier: The Chandler Pohrt Collection” by David Penny (1992, page 199); “Pleasing the Spirits: The Wellington Collection” by Douglas Ewing (1992, page 168); and “Crow Indian Beadwork” (1985, figure 35 two examples). Provenance: From the large Mark Francis Collection of American Indian Art and ex-collection of Jim Aplan. Francis acquired the piece in the late 1990’s from artifact dealer Jim Aplan of Piedmont, South Dakota. Original examples such as this are not often brought to the open market and are some of the most striking pieces of beadwork with very attractive art appeal with this truly being a phenomenal example.