EDWARD S. CURTIS

Details
EDWARD S. CURTIS

The Oath, Apsaroke

Toned gelatin silver print. 1908. Copyright insignia in ink on the recto; signed in ink in the margin with two-toned impressed border. 7 5/8 x 5 3/8in.
Literature
The North American Indian 1907-30, Portfolio 4, frontispiece; Visions of a Vanishing Race, p. 135 (there titled Prayer to the Mystery); Curtis' Western Indians, p. 92 and cover (there called Slow Bull Taking Oath and incorrectly Ogalalla Sioux).

Lot Essay

Curtis wrote of this image: A Crow picture, illustrating the striking and dramatic form of oath of this plains tribe. A buffalo skull was placed in the front and across the skull an arrow with a fragment of buffalo meat at its point. The man making the declaration would extend the arrow to the sky. The thought being that should there be an untruth in his statement the angry Gods would destroy his life with a tongue of flame.