Prior to the heavy influx of repeating rifles onto the Central Plains in the late 1860s and 1870s, quiver sets were a preferred weapons system for Plains Indian warriors. Accounts suggest that a warrior on horse back, armed with bow and arrow, was more lethal in battle than multiple enemies with muzzle loading rifles.

This quiver set has many of the hallmark traits which help us date it to this sought after period, commonly referred to as the “Indian Wars” period. That the set is beaded with early “micro” beads, including rows of “pony trader” blue; has a securing flap for the arrows; as well as remnants of sweat and body pigment on the backside - these are all features which indicate that this set was made and used for battle.

Perhaps more impressive: it is often the case sets from this time frame have undergone some restoration: replaced straps, bows and accoutrement, for example. This quiver set, which resided in the Oshkosh Public Museum from 1945-2011, appears to be all original.

42” long (bowcase) and 24” long (quiver)

Ex Arthur Kannenberg, WI, amateur archaeologist (1887-1945); Gifted to Oshkosh Public Museum, WI (#1998.22.270, collected 1945-2011).

Published: H. Malcom Grimmer and Thomas Cleary, eds. Art Indigenous: Masterworks of the Plains, Plateau, Prairie and Western Great Lakes, exh. cat. (H. Malcolm Grimmer American Indian Art, 2016), 44.

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