AN EARLY CREE QUILLED HIDE HORSE CRUPPER

细节

AN EARLY CREE QUILLED HIDE HORSE CRUPPER
constructed in two panels, decorated with white, blue, yellow and red-dyed porcupine quillwork, with an intricate design of small floral, foliate and geometric elements, trimmed along each side with a broad panel of quill-wrapped fringe with cross motifs
Length: 24 in. (60.9 cm.) excluding strap

出版

Illustrated in Waldlandindianer und Bisonjager Nordamerikas, page 7 and in Die Prarieindianer Nordamerikas 1840 - 1890, plate 2.

展览

Amerika Haur Berlin, Mar. 1 - 31, 1971; Jan. 26 - Mar. 3, 1976

更多详情

This crupper exemplifies the elaborate horse gear produced by the Cree, Metis, and other North American Indian groups. Utilizing a variety of techniques, the Cree and Metis, in particular, excelled in producing intricate patterns in porcupine quillwork, applying them to many different articles of their material culture -- including items of horse gear. On one hand a little known article of saddlry, the crupper, performed a wholly practical function. The loop at one end passed underneath the horse's tail, while the other end was secured to the rear of the saddle, thereby preventing the saddle from sliding backward and forward during riding. However, highly decorated cruppers, such as this example dating to the 19th c., also insured that one's mount cut a handsome figure on special occasions. The historic literature relates how Indian camps on the move presented a conspicuous spectacle, with the people and horses decked in finery -- the families and bands vying to outdo eachother.

Benson L. Lanford
May 3, 2004