For your consideration are two Lakota Sioux, beaded umbilical cord fetishes from the 1940-50s and 1970-80s. A traditional Native American talisman fashioned of beaded leather, known as an umbilical amulet or fetish, is used by Plains tribes, such as the Sioux and Crow, to retain a newborn's dried umbilical cord. These amulets are designed to protect the baby’s health and promote longevity, rooted in the belief that they connect the child’s life to Mother Earth. The first is from the later 20th century and shows a lizard effigy showing colors of transparent green, white, red and dark blue beads in geometric patterns. The feet feature two metal cones with rawhide straps extruding from them. A small line of stitches can be seen on the belly, showing where the umbilical cord was inserted into the effigy / fetish. The second is from the early 20th century and shows another lizard like effigy showing beads set in geometric designs. It shows colors of greasy light blue, greasy yellow, cobalt and Cheyenne pink white hearts. Near the feet are larger, dark blue beads and metal cones with rawhide straps extruding from them. The belly shows a stitched section where the umbilical cord was placed and stitched into the belly. Both show good condition overall with little wear present and little to no bead loss. No major signs of damage is noted. The first and green and white one measures 8 3/4" L x 2 7/8" W x 1 3/4" D, while the predominantly blue one measures 7 1/8" L x 2 1/2" W x 1 1/2" D. They have a collective weight of 115.6 grams.