A Cree Quilled Hide Crupper

composed of finely tanned buffalo hide, porcupine quills, sinew and pigments.

C.F. Taylor Collection, Hastings, England

Kurt Schindler Collection, Germany

John W. Painter Collection, Cincinnati, OH 

Sacred Circles, Hayward Gallery, London, October 7, 1976-January 16, 1977; and The Nelson Gallery of Art - Atkins Museum of Fine Arts, Kansas City, MO

Ralph T. Coe, Sacred Circles, London and Kansas City, 1976, no. 392, page 168

John W. Painter, A Window on the Past, Volume Two, The Cincinnati Art Museum, 2002, p. 64, no. 143: "This is a very decorative creation which is tied between the back of the saddle and under the tail of a horse. It is small relative to the size of modern horses. The adult male Indian pony averaged less than 14 hands in height, about 700 pounds, and had a large head in proportion to its body. They have been traced to Barb horses introduced into Spain by the invasion of the Moors from North Africa. The first horses brought to America were from Cordoba and Andalusia in the south of Spain. They probably came via the southwest and were first used on the Plains around 1600. The coming of the horse to the Plains created major changes in the lifestyle of the Indians.

 

For a good comparison of how small these early Indian ponies were in relation to the size of their riders, see, Journal of Rudolph Friederich Kurz, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 115. Forty-nine plates replicate the sketchbook of this Swiss artist, which was made in 1847-1852 during Kurz' visit to the Upper Missouri River tribes.

 

It is possible that this crupper was made to be used on a large dog. Dogs were used as beasts of burden before horses were introduced on the Plains. I have never talked with anyone who has seen a dog crupper. If this is in fact for a dog, it is unique..."

Very good condition.
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.
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