Parfleche/Bags

Parfleche (or Parflesh) Bags

Parfleche are traditional bags and containers made from stiff rawhide by many of the First Nations of the North American Plains. Because the prepared hides were strong enough to be used on a shield, the French referred to the material as “parafleche”, meaning to “defend the body against arrows. Hides were painted, beaded, or quilled with the characteristic tribal designs of the craftsperson. they could have geometric, geographic, or religious significance.

 

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Beaded medicine pouches have a long tradition among the Plains Nations Today, the traditional medicine bag, though still in use, has given much ground to scripts from the local pharmacy. This bottle combines the old custom with modern life.
  • Artist: Northern Cheyenne artist


    Made in USA

A small, Parfleche bag, approximately 5” by 6”. Laced/ fringing with soft hide, and with Black cloth along the two long sides.
  • Artist: L. One Star

    Lakota


    Made in USA


A small, Parfleche bag, approximately 5” by 6”. Laced/ fringing with soft hide, and with Black cloth along the two long sides.
  • Artist: L. One Star

    Oglala Lakota


    Made in USA

A small, Parfleche bag, approximately 5” by 6”. Laced/ fringing with soft hide, and with Black cloth along the two long sides.
  • Artist: L. One Star

    Oglala Lakota


    Made in USA


A small, Parfleche bag, approximately 5” by 6”. Laced/ fringing with soft hide, and with Black cloth along the two long sides.
  • Artist: L. One Star

    Oglala Lakota


    Made in the USA

This vintage puzzle bag has green, sky blue, white, red, and yellow beads on white hide. The false front has a false opening to the bag. The less ornate “back” of the bag has he actual opening. The bag measures about 3 ½” by just under 4 ½”, with a to
  • Artist: Artist Unknown

    Oglala Lakota, Pine Ridge Reservation


    Made in U.S.A.

These circular earrings feature miniature paintings of female ceremonial dancers on parfleche made by a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Reservation. The dancer is dressed in tribal colours.
  • Artist: Oglala Lakota Artist Made in USA
These earrings feature miniature paintings of female ceremonial dancers on parfleche made by a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Reservation.
  • Artist: Oglala Lakota Artist Made in USA
These earrings feature miniature paintings of female ceremonial dancers on parfleche made by a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Reservation.
  • Artist: Oglala Lakota Artist Made in USA
These teardrop earrings feature miniature paintings of female ceremonial dancers on parfleche made by a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Reservation.
  • Artist: Oglala Lakota Artist Made in USA