Sioux Quilled and Beaded Turtle Fetish

fourth quarter 19th century

thread and sinew-sewn; with salt and pepper beadwork in cream, purple, red, and yellow quillwork; framed with the following caption:

Among the Plains Indians many groups shared a legend in which the first human life was carried safely through the water-covered world on the back of a turtle, upon which the dry land mass was subsequently created. Because of this, the turtle shares a close relationship with "Mother Earth." It was thought to exercise protection against the dangers of childbearing and of infancy and was a common protective amulet.

When a baby's umbilical cord fell off, the mother would sew it into a small buckskin bag, often shaped like a turtle. This bag was attached to the baby's cradle as its first toy, and later was worn around the child's neck or tied to his clothing as a charm to ensure a long life.

This fetish, with its beautiful combination of quill and beadwork, and its unusually large size, makes it an exceptional example.

length 7 inches x diameter 5 inches; framed 18 x 11 inches

Ex Folger's Collection

The Emily T. and Adolphus Andrews Collection of Native American Art

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Ex Folger's Collection

Housed in a glass frame. Not removed from frame.

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Danica Farnand

Vice President, Head of Department, Native American Art

[email protected]513.666.4935

Ms. Farnand has helmed the Native American Art department since its inception at Cowan's Auctions in 2003, developing it into one of the most respected and successful departments in the category. Throughout her career, Ms. Farnand has sold over $50 million in Native Art, and has created focused and curated auctions for 19th and 20th century Native works, Jewelry, and Modern and Contemporary Native and Indigenous Arts. A distinguished expert in her field, Ms. Farnand is a respected voice in the ongoing dialogue between Native American tribal groups and the collecting community regarding culturally significant objects, serving as a board member of the Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA) since 2019, and spearheading the effort to return a sacred Ahayu:da wooden figure to its rightful home in the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico in 2020. She has also been an appraiser on Antiques Roadshow since 2016. Ms. Farnand holds an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Cincinnati and a B.A. in Art History from John Carroll University.

Native American Art

Sioux Quilled and Beaded Turtle Fetish

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