Antique Lakota Sioux Indian Rawhide Dance Rattle with Painted Decoration, Horse Hair & Trade Cloth Drops. Black Hills. Probably 1920-1950s
This older Sioux dance rattle was found in the Black Hills, South Dakota area and acquired in Ruidoso, New Mexico from an old Indian trader with roots in the Black Hills. The sturdy rawhide rattle body is sinew sewn and contains pebbles or seeds. The rattle body extends under the leather wrapping and probably encases a wooden rod to form a handle. Red and black woolen trade cloth strips and a bundle of black horse tail hair emanate from the base of the handle. The painted design in black paint on the unpainted rawhide rattle body is simple and effective.
Condition: Very Good. No damage to rattle, painted design or horse hair & trade cloth drops. Minimal wear overall, commensurate with age and use.
Dimensions: Rawhide rattle: oval, 4-3/4" tall x 2-1/2" wide (rawhide also extends under leather wrapping forming the handle). Total length w/ drops: 25-1/2"