Turtle Shaped Navel Amulet or Umbilical Fetish
Hammer Price w/ BP
$1,440
| Lot #: 343 Turtle Shaped Navel Amulet or Umbilical Fetish |
| Late 19th century. Catalog Note: Plains mothers greased their newborn's skin and powdered it with finely ground dried buffalo manure, decayed cottonwood, or the ripe dry spores of the star puffball fungus. Puffballs were especially favored for the drying of the umbilical cord. When the cord fell off, the mother would sew it into an amulet shaped like a lizard for boys and a turtle for girls. The fetish was then attached to the baby's cradle as the child's first toy. Later it would be worn around the child's neck or attached to his or her clothing, It was to be kept for a lifetime as a means of ensuring a long life. |
| Max L. 7 in. |
|
Provenance A Private Boston, Massachusetts collection. |
|
Auction Date May 31, 2024 |
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