North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Early October American Indian & Western Sale

Sat, Oct 3, 2020 11:00AM EDT
Lot 38

Northern Cheyenne Beaded Sheath & Knife c. 1850-76

Estimate: $1,750 - $3,250

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 an exceptional fully front beaded parfleche hide sheath and G. Wostenholm IXL trade knife from the Northern Cheyenne Native American Indians dating to circa 1850-1876. The sheath shows a parfleche rawhide construction being sinew sewn with remnants of mineral pigment dyes along with being covered on the front with all period correct 19th Century glass trade seed cen beads in a geometric pattern in the pattern of the Cheyenne. The beadwork shows colors of greasy yellow, red white hearts, cobalt, medium green, semi-transparent and chalk white. The beadwork is all sinew sewn and is mostly all still preserved and present with some slight bead loss and rolled tin jingle cone fringe missing from the center, loss from honest authentic age. The piece is accompanied with the original trade knife showing a rare George Wostenholm Sons Washington Works Sheffield, England IXL (also referred to as I*XL) knife. The IXL trademark was registered to Wostenholm’s in 1831 and the company eventual ended upon his death in 1876, dating this blade to circa 1831-1876. The sheath also dates to the Indian Wars Era of circa 1850-1876 and is in well preserved original condition. The knife shows a tin pin secured antler one-piece grip with rich original patina and the blade has an unusual curved blade and curved handle. Very similar to two examples shown in Harold L. Peterson's 1958 "American Knives" book on page 124 and 125 figure 154 and 155. 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. Sheath is 8.75”L by 3 3/8”W. Knife is 8 3/8”L.
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