Quilled Pipe Bag Belonging to He Frightens (A.K.A. Joe Frightens), Son of Chief Iron Shell. ...

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From the Fitterer Family Collection

Quilled Pipe Bag Belonging to He Frightens (A.K.A. Joe Frightens), Son of Chief Iron Shell. Iron Shell was a Brulé Sioux chief who came to prominence following an 1843 raid on the Pawnee. In 1855, Gen. William S. Harney made a surprise attack on the Brulé at Lewellen, Nebraska. Iron Shell was present and two of his wives were captured during the battle. He became chief of the Brulé Orphan Band during the Powder River War of 1866-68. After signing the Treaty that ended that war, he lived the remainder of his life peacefully on the Rosebud Reservation. His birth date is variously reported as 1816 or 1820, and while one account claims he lived until 1896, another states that he died in the 1870s and was buried near St. Francis in Dakota Territory. He was photographed by Alexander Gardner in 1872 in Washington, D.C. By tradition, over time Iron Shell had a dozen wives and fathered dozens of children. The image shown here has been published in numerous places, including Brulé: The Sioux People of the Rosebud, where the owner of the pipe bag, which is clearly pictured, is identified as He Frightens. The photograph of Iron Shell's sons is of indeterminate date, but probably early 20th century.

This lovely, quilled pipe bag, measuring 39" in length including fringe, dates from the last quarter of the 19th century. Condition is excellent. Quilled decoration was falling by the wayside by the dawn of the reservation era, as beaded decoration - easier and more commercially in demand - was used more frequently on pipe bags and other objects.

Traditional Native American artifacts associated with identified owners are rare indeed (witness the sale at a New York auction house of a war shirt owned by a not terribly significant chief for over $2 million dollars!). Offered here is a very special opportunity to acquire a desirable quilled pipe bag with photographic documentation.

Fees, Shipping, and Handling Description: Miscellaneous Collectibles, Large (view shipping information)

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