This is an outstanding authentic original polychrome painted hand carved bow from the Mandan Native American Indians dating to circa 1830-1845. The bow is marked from the previous owner in a museum / collection number of #401 and marked, “Collected on the Upper Missouri River in 1845 near FT. (Fort) Clark – Mandan Bow, from Hi-du-wate-to”. The piece shows an excellent hand carved solid hardwood bow with a recurve shape being in excellent preserved condition. The bow has been artfully polychrome painted with all mineral pigment dyes of black, natural and red in a zig-zag triangular alternating pattern on one side and a chevron or arrow pattern on the other. The piece is expertly carved and well preserved with both string notches still present. The front side of the bow has a curved convex surface, which is easily gripped and has a nice patina worn area at the center from much age and use as this is where the piece would have been handled with sweaty hands during a hunt or war. The inside shows a slight convex curve with a mainly flat appearance showing vivid colors and the central museum documentation writing. The Fort Clark Trading Post was built in 1830 by the American Fur Company just south of the Mandan village with the first steamboat journey to the fort up the upper-Missouri River in 1832 by the Yellowstone. The village was visited by George Catlin, Karl Bodmer and Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied during the 1830’s. The bow dates to circa 1830-1845 with the piece being collected in 1845 from the Fort. It was most likely left behind by its Mandan owner after disease swept through the village killing nearly ninety percent of the Mandan inhabitants. Provenance: From a very large and prominent American Indian and Western collection in Billings, Montana. The piece was looked over by an American Indian expert and found to be correct. This is truly one of the finest polychrome painted carved wood bows offered for public sale with authentic honest patina. The measurement of this bow are 41 1/2" x 5"