Great Plains Knife With A Riveted Sheath

Blackfeet (Piegan) or Sioux
Montana / Great Plains – circa 1870–1890

Forged steel blade, curly maple handle, leather, and brass rivets.

Description

A rare North American trade knife preserved in its original leather sheath. The handle is made of curly maple, whose pronounced grain is a striking aesthetic feature. The antique blade has a uniform patina. The sheath is adorned with approximately 163 brass rivets covering much of its surface and features a large, cut-out belt loop.

Comparative Study

This example can be compared to the Piegan (Blackfeet) sheath no. 45-15-914B held at the Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania), which has a comparable overall construction and is richly decorated with brass studs. However, historical documentation showing a “Piegan Knife Sheath” and a “Sioux Knife Sheath” side by side indicates that this type of studded sheath was also made by the Sioux. This comparison therefore calls for caution: the mere presence of studs does not allow for a definitive ethnic attribution.

Based on current knowledge, it is more accurate to classify this piece as a Great Plains knife, likely Blackfeet (Piegan) or Sioux, while emphasizing its technical similarities to published examples.

Provenance

Former Bernard Souteyrand collection.

Estimate

Given its high-quality craftsmanship, its remarkable curly maple handle, its richly studded sheath, and its provenance, the market value is estimated between €14,500 and €16,500.
Price: 15,800 €.