The Plains Indian quirt was a personalized piece of riding gear, always ready to urge a war horse to a gallop. Often carved from a piece of wood, it could take the form of a spiral cylinder, flat paddle or in this case, the popular sawtooth or lightning bolt design. Brass tacks were a common decorative element. Sturdy commercial leather strips, wrapped with a collar of blue trade wool over native tanned deerskin, tied with cord, form a lash comprised of a broad range of materials. In addition, a fancy wrist strap would greatly enhance the piece if the maker was lucky enough to be gifted some embroidery, quillwork, or beaded strip by a wife or female admirer. Men never did such work. Accordingly, the beaded wrist strap on this particular quirt was obtained through trade from an outside source. Wood 14” Lash 17” Beaded wrist strap 6” (12” folded)
Was $1,200 Not available SOLD