Kiowa Beaded Hide and Cloth Fringed Cradle

the sack, finely sinew and thread sewn in numerous shades of opaque and translucent glass beadwork, each side with a stylized hourglass design overlaid with strips of parallelograms surmounted by checkered panels, the top with a pair of pronged elements, mounted to a pair of pointed wood slats of expanding section, decorated with brass tacks and overalaid with a beaded hide bib; the whole trimmed with cut hide pendants strung with tubular glass beads and cowrie shells.

Acquired from Morning Star Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

Very good overall condition with typical wear for age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a discussion of Kiowa cradles by Barbara Hail see Batkin, 1995, p. 46: "Highly decorated lattice cradles, both functional and handsome, are masterpieces of design. More than that, they represent the deep bonds of affection uniting Kiowa families. The cradle was unusually made by an aunt or other female relative for the infant. Her gift signified the joy and solidarity of related kin at the coming of new life. Reciprocity through such gift-giving strengthened family ties and enabled a woman’s knowledge of beadwork design and techniques to be passed on in her family. Lattice cradles were made and used by many people of the central and southern Plains, though their origin is not clear. In the southern Plains, they co-existed with and eventually supplanted a simple rawhide tubular cradle, and they may have been valued mostly as prestige items. The lattice slats, pointed at one end, served as a support from which the cradle could be suspended from a saddle, secured to a travois, or carried on a mother’s back. The rigid hide bag, attached with thongs to the frame, was deep and strong enough to prevent injury in case of a fall. The rounded head opening was large, so that the child could look around easily, while the projecting rim protected its head from sun and insects. Bright metal ornaments, bead chains, charms, and other attachments frequently hung from the upper sides of cradles, adding beauty and protection for the child within. On this cradle an arrow form has been painted and pierced through the tops of lattices, possibly as protection or as a prediction of the infant’s future skills. 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. In fact, most Kiowa beaded lattice cradles in museums bear dates from 1890 to 1910. The Kiowa are known to favor bilateral asymmetry, often using different colors, as here, or different designs on each side of an object. The designs here are simple diamonds and ovals. Late 19^th-century cradles were often beaded with large and complex floral and geometric elements, and those of early 20^th century with representational designs such as flags, game animals, horses, stars, and oak or maple leaves. Common to all was the vivid and imaginative use of color.”