Nineteenth Century Lakota Sioux Pipe Bag [SOLD]

Special Value Offer: We have been authorized to offer this at a price reduction of 20% from the original price of $2850 to $2280.

It was traditional for every Indian man to carry a decorated pipe bag made from deer or buffalo skin and highly decorated with beads.  The bag would contain a pipe, tobacco, tamping stick and a strike-a-light.  The Indians did not smoke purely for pleasure but did smoke tobacco for important rituals.  Pipe smoking was part of any ceremonial or social event.

Warriors would smoke when seeking spiritual power; sacred acts were celebrated by smoking; oaths and friendships were sealed by smoking; visits to another person were celebrated by smoking before any conversation ensued; and smoking was undertaken for any major rituals.

I am not knowledgeable enough to speak authoritatively on this beaded and quilled pipe bag.  I welcome any information anyone can contribute to an accurate presentation on the bag.

Condition: the bag and beadwork are in very good condition but the quill portion is missing some sections.  The fringe is intact.

Provenance: this pipe bag was sold by Adobe Gallery in 1988 to a client in Maryland from whom we now have it back to sell again.

Reference and Recommended Reading:  The Indians of the Great Plains, University of Oklahoma Press, 1981