Native American Art

antler decorated with three dotted crosses, a dragonfly, and 20 "tally marks"; thread and sinew-sewn hide wrist strap with cobalt, red white-heart, rose, pea green, pink, and white glass beads; strap backed with remnants of brown wool; lash made of braided hide thongs
overall length 33.5 in.
third quarter 19th century

Published:
Sage, Helen. Native American Horse Gear: A Golden Age of Equine-Inspired Art of the Nineteenth Century (2012: 104-105, fig. 5-25 and 5-26)

The crosses, especially the one on the right, have been identified with the dragonfly, an associate of Thunder.  The notches at the base if the handle might represent achievements in battles, such as the number of coup counted, horses stolen, or enemies killed by the owner of this quirt (Sage 2012:105).