North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Early October American Indian & Western Sale

Sat, Oct 3, 2020 11:00AM EDT
Lot 406

Crow Chief John Grey Bull Beaded Pipe Bag 1915-30

Estimate: $750 - $1,500

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
The lot features a fantastic piece done for the daughter of Crow Chief John Grey Bull from circa 1915-1930. This miniature beaded piece was made for and is from Dolly Grey Bull and shows a beaded pipe bag. The piece shows an Indian tanned hide construction with period correct early 1900’s glass trade seed cen beads done on both sides in a geometric pattern in colors of chalk white, cobalt, medium green and dark red. The bag has a wonderful bifurcated split four piece top flap with fancy beaded edge, beadwork strips down the outer edge of the neck of the bag which slightly curves in and finishes with the square fully beaded section with long frilly fringe at the base. The piece has a nice ocher mineral pigment coloring and the fringe has an artful frilly thin finish. The beadwork appears to all be sinew sewn attributing to the pieces circa 1915-1930 age. The top strap is still present, and the piece is in very good well preserved condition. Provenance: From a historic Eastern Montana American Indian Collection, where the piece was found to be an authentic original, one of the finest collections of American Indian weaponry and antiquities in Montana. Measures 11”L by 2.75”W.