“Indian Cradles” in The Museum Journal [SOLD]

“Indian Cradles” by William Curtis Farabee in The Museum Journal, December 1920. Published Quarterly by The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, December 1920.

Dr. William Curtis Farabee, Curator of the American Section, describes the cradles of the American Indians, together with what is probably the most remarkable piece of basketry in existence.  This has been called a cradle or baby carrier, but its use is absolutely unknown.  In addition to its unique character it is one of the most ancient, if not absolutely the most ancient piece of basketry in America, representing the oldest surviving manifestation of that art on this Continent.  It was made by people now extinct or whose particular culture and method of life belong certainly to a period long before the arrival of Europeans, a people or culture of which there were no surviving representatives at the time of the Discovery.  This piece of ancient craftsmanship, so miraculously preserved form an unknown antiquity, was first seen at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 by the Director of the Museum, who followed it up till 1908 when it was bought for the University Museum.  The two colored plates XVIII and XIX show very faithfully this remarkable object in its natural colours. 

This article covers cradles of many American Indian tribes such as Chippewa, Osage, Crow, Sioux, Hidatsa, Pomo, Havasupai, Ute, Nez Perce, Puyallup, Umatilla, and Flathead.  It is illustrated with many photographs taken by Edward Curtis.

Soft cover, pages 183-211 in the Museum Journal, 25 photos of cradles in sepia tone and one in full color.

Condition:  very good condition