188: AN ELABORATE BEADED BLACKFEET HORSE CRUPPER CIRCA 1910

The Northern Plains horse crupper is constructed of wool cloth with native tanned leather, muslin, metal cones, yarn, glass beads, and cotton cloth. There are two roundels of large metal cones tipped in dyed horsehair. A central connecting strap displays metallic thread fringe, Circa 1900-1910.

A crupper served as a status symbol while also having the practical application of keeping the saddle, pack or other harness in place.
Each measures 24.25 x 7.5 inches, not including the fringe.
Very good condition, minor holes in the black cloth near the narrow rounded end of one, no bead loss detected, small holes in the red stroud on the two roundels that have metal cones, very good overall.
Provenance: The estate of a Wyoming collector.
$700 - $900