Cheyenne Beaded Hide Tobacco Bag, with Documentation

fourth quarter 19th century

sinew-sewn and beaded using colors of pony trader blue, green, red white-heart, and greasy yellow

overall length 16-1/2 inches

Included is a copy of a handwritten note:

Dear Lynn,

This pipe bag belonged to "Two Moons" and was used by him during the last years of his life. It was given to me by "Little Whirlwind" the last of his many wives.

Two Moons was the war chief of the Cheyenne Indians and led them in Custer's battle. He could have without doubt given an authentic account of the battle; but repeated efforts on the part of government officials, historians and curious people were fruitless.

I was his physician during the last year of his life and had many interesting talks with him.

I once asked him if he know who shot "Yellow Hair" (Custer) and he answered "yes," farther than that I never got. He would talk by the hour of Indian legends, superstitions, etc. and seem to enjoy it - but of Custer's Battle, never. He was past 90 at his death and his mind was unusually clear to the last. I considered him much above the average Indian intellectually --

I thought you might like to hear this on account of its historical connection. Wishing you a Merry X-mas.

Love as Ever,
H. Clay Mark

Donated in 1926.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Deaccessioned from the Henry County Historical Society, Indiana in 2012

Hide has been conditioned at some point. Hide is a little stiff, but pliable. Couple tears and pin holes on throat. Light scattered bead loss.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

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, Session I

Cheyenne Beaded Hide Tobacco Bag, with Documentation

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