A Comanche beaded cradle
Fully beaded with larger 'pony' beads, with the beaded layer overlaid on trade cloth and canvas, one side designed with dual columns of concentric diamonds on a red ground, the other with the same motif on a green ground, attached to a tacked wood frame.
length 37in, width 15 1/2in, depth 10in
Footnotes:
For a discussion of the use of the larger pony beads in central and southern Plains cradles, see Batkin, Jonathan, Splendid Heritage: Masterpieces of Native American Art from the Masco Collection, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Santa Fe, NM, 1995. In discussing a Kiowa lattice cradle dating to circa 1870, hail states: 'This cradle is unusual, and possibly unique, in that it represents a late use of 'pony' beads, which were no longer popular when most Kiowa lattice cradles were made. These ornate cradles did not become common until after 1868, during the reservation period, when smaller 'seed' beads were plentiful and women could take time to decorate particularly favored objects' (p. 46).

For another Comanche example in a similar color palette and motif, see Feder, Norman, American Indian Art, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, NY, 1965, Colorplate 10 (Peabody Museum collection, Salem, MA, Cat. No. E38858).

Collector's Notes
Affixed with a paper tag inscribed: 10/2/26 WB / Okla City

Good condition overall with general dust accumulation and soiling commensurate with age and long-term storage. A few scattered areas of bead loss (some beads retained in accompanying envelope), the largest couple areas of loss about 2in x 1/2in each. The beadwork layer/net is detached from the base of the cradle near connection points with the frame. Stiffness and losses to the lashings. Fraying and wear to the interior fabric lining. Lashings attaching the cradle to the boards have been replaced with more modern hide ties. One of the boards cracked (about 8in long) with a corresponding 1/2in x 1/4in chip from one end. Second board also cracked (about 4in). Some soiling to the backing canvas. A few areas of whitish residue from long-term storage. Some greenish dye transfer on the boards; source unknown. Cradle is somewhat loose on frame.