Native American, Western United States, Sioux tribe, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE; United States, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A leather knife sheath with stunning glass bead work that holds a wood and steel knife. The sheath is made in a traditional style by the Sioux people. The front is entirely covered with bead work comprised of horizontal bands on the upper half and vertical beads on the lower part. These rows of beads are known as line stitching and note how they outline the shape of the knife blade. At the center is a thunder bird or eagle, a powerful motif, and Native American knife sheaths were intricately beaded to show off these tribal or personalized symbols of the owner. The sheath verso is free of beadwork and dyed a red hue. Included is an antique steel knife with a wooden grip. Size sheath: 9.125" L x 3.125" W (23.2 cm x 7.9 cm); knife: 9.75" L x 1" W (24.8 cm x 2.5 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Chicago, Illinois, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s; ex-Ron Yebsley, California Auctioneers, March 18, 2017

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#163685

Signs of age and use on knife. Nice patina on handle and blade. Fraying to lower edge of sheath and hole in seam. Some surface staining and fading of leather. Beads is intact and very good.