A child’s strike-a-lite is constructed from commercial leather, which is sewn with commercial leather and glass seed beads. The recto side is decorated with two stacked downward pointing powder blue triangles which are bordered in bands of yellow, navy and finally white. The triangles sit on an opaque red field. The edges are bordered with blocks of powder blue and navy. The base seam is lined with tin cones, the corners of which are accented with long drops. The opening flap is also beaded and lined with tin cones. The verso side of the body is comprised of multi-colored stepped blocks.

The Kiowa famously dedicated significant time and care to their children’s adornment. Mothers and grandmothers lovingly made clothing, cradles, moccasins and bags - recreating the same iconic family patterns, just on a smaller scale. The intricacy of their work not only conveyed their affection for the child, it also communicated the family’s social standing.

This very ornate strike-a-lite would have likely belonged to a little boy or girl, attached to a formal outfit. No where is this better seen than in a famous portrait taken by George Bentz c. 1894 of a young Kiowa woman named, “O-o-be:, now at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. (Cat #OPPS NEG.42933 A).

5.5” long and 3” wide; 13” overall

#51138