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Tadpole-shaped umbilical amulet

Titles: Tadpole-shaped umbilical amulet (Supplied title)

Description: A tanned leather tadpole-shaped umbilical cord case, possibly Plains or Dakota, circa the late 20th century or earlier. The amulet has white beads sewn along the edge; the top is lane-stitched with patterned rows of alternating pink, green and blue beads with black bead eyes and mouth. Pairs of tin tinkle cones containing tufts of dyed orange horsehair are attached to the perimeter seam at the tail and four leg areas. The underside of the amulet has a thong loop tied in a knot.

Dates

  • Not later than 1996 (Date object was donated to the Minnesota Historical Society.) (Creation)

Identifiers

  • Inventory Number: x.1.619

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

  • 4 inches length without tinkle cones
  • 1 1/2 inches width without tinkle cones
  • 1 1/2 inches length each tinkle cone with horsehair (approximate)

Subjects

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