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Plains turtle-shaped umbilical amulet

Titles: Plains turtle-shaped umbilical amulet (Supplied title)

Description: A Plains, possibly Dakota, leather turtle-shaped umbilical cord case, circa the early 20th century or earlier. The amulet consists of a turtle shape with head, tail, and four legs on a round body. It has blue beads sewn along the edge; the top is lane-stitched with a checkerboard pattern of red and white glass seed beads. A thread loop strung with seed beads is attached to the seam at either side of the head. The underside of the amulet is tanned leather.

Dates

  • Not later than 1929 (Year object was donated to the Minnesota Historical Society.) (Content)

Identifiers

  • Accession Number: 808.O

Restrictions

  • Through curatorial review and/or additional consultation with American Indian elders, spiritual leaders, tribal officers or lineal descendants, this item has been determined to be culturally sensitive. As advised by the Minnesota Historical Society Indian Advisory Committee on April 20, 2012, the Minnesota Historical Society will not display images of culturally sensitive items on the public database.

Credit: Minnesota Historical Society Collections, Gift of the Sibley House Association of the Minnesota Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Holding Type: 3D Objects

Quantity: 1 item

Format

  • Content Category: artifacts

Measurements

  • 5 1/2 inches length
  • 3 inches width
  • 1.25 inches depth

Subjects

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