Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: half eye on March 21, 2011, 11:49:09 pm

Title: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: half eye on March 21, 2011, 11:49:09 pm

Hey fellas,
      Awhile back there was a question about did Native Americans cover thier bows completely with snakeskin backing. While I was checking some bows from the Peabody Museum (Harvard University) I ran across one.....so thought I'd share the pic with ya.

Item #   15-36-10 / 86470
Desc.  Sinew backed Cherry / covered with rattlesnake skins
Source:  Plateau Culture / Thompson River

     Dont know how common these were, but there was at least one.
rich

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: John K on March 21, 2011, 11:57:03 pm

Wow ! Nice, whats the length on that bow ?

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: toomanyknots on March 22, 2011, 12:02:05 am

Ha, nice find rich. You can tell that the bowyer who made that one put alot into it. Sinew backed cherry probably makes a great bow!

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: IndianGuy on March 22, 2011, 12:57:17 am

Thats only the second one I have ever seen.

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: Blacktail on March 22, 2011, 03:09:36 am

thats the first one i have seen...and a great piece of work...i wonder why there wasn't more of them especially out west...john

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: Stoker on March 22, 2011, 11:58:14 am

Very nice..Awesome looking bow.. Just out of curiosity. Would you think because of rarity that it might be a ceremonial bow or built for a chief or medicine man? Just a thoght.. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Leroy

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: Traxx on March 23, 2011, 04:59:44 am

I believe its a Salish Bow.

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: madmax46 on March 27, 2011, 03:10:58 pm

Rich, did any of the information you found indicate approximately how many of these bows have been preserved?   

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: loefflerchuck on March 27, 2011, 10:06:42 pm

That makes 3 for me. That one, a Blackfoot one and a Flathead

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: Acutus on March 27, 2011, 10:17:56 pm

I thought I heard or read somewhere that most bows backed with snakeskin were more late 19th century and more cerimonial or gifts than actual for use bows. Anyone else hear that or am I totally off base here?

Title: Re: Snakeskin covered Native American bow ? / found one
Post by: JustinNC on March 27, 2011, 10:23:05 pm

Not to be the skeptic....ok maybe so....but that looks like it is in incredible condition. Maybe it's a recreation from someone that the museum thought knew about the history?...obviously a skilled bowyer