This is an authentic early Mandan Native American Indian quilled tobacco pipe bag from circa 1850's. The tobacco bag was collected in South Dakota and is truly an excellent piece. Often referred to by American Indian art collectors as a “leg pouch” or “leg bag” because this style of tobacco and pipe bags showed tow leg shaped protrusions off the bottom. The bags were revered by their owners and the decorations and adornments usually held special meaning. This pouch is made of fringe-cut Indian tanned hide sewn with sinew and trade thread and adorned with eight quilled dangle drops each showing hand-rolled tin jingle cones and plum feathers, a small row of seed beads and a section of porcupine quill work in the center. The original tie straps are still intact. The bag shows signs of use and age and there is a small hole in the center along with some quill loss and drying of the hide. Overall this piece is a well preserved authentic example with very few of these early bags surviving the Indian Wars period. This style of bag pre-dates the popular fully beaded lengthier bags seen in the late 19th century. The pouch measures 18.5”L overall and 6.5”W. This is a good, authentic early example and should be preserved in your collection or displayed in a museum.

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