Native American Apache Made Cradleboard--Vintage

Description

The first cradleboard is often made before the child is born. The father is very careful in the construction of the cradleboard because of the belief that a mistake in the construction could cause the child to be born impaired. An infant is the most precious of all gifts.

Monster Slayer and Born of Water, the twin hero gods of the Navajo, are represented by the two back supports. The father binds these two slats together by drilling holes in them and lacing them with buckskin. He then constructs the footrest, and this too is attached by drilling and lacing it to the back supports. The footrest represents Mother Earth and is a constant reminder that it is on Her that we spend our lives. The back supports and the footrest are traditionally made of juniper, the head protector of oak. The head protector represents the rainbow and is also a very practical form of protection. The baby is secured to the cradleboard with laced thongs. Buckskin thongs were originally used because it was believed that the child would develop the same attributes as the deer and therefore would be wise, agile and quick. The lacings represent power, lightning and sun rays. Warmth will generate from the child because of these lacings. The cradleboard is not only a practical convenience but also symbolizes the love of a mother for her child. The medicine wheel and the medicine bag are to keep the child safe from sickness and harm.

This very old cradleboard (19th century) was made for a child from brain-tanned deer. It has the bent wicker for the head protection covered with deerskin and beaded. When it was new this piece would have been beaded at the top and bottom of the headpiece. The stars on the sides of the headpiece and the body are still in pretty good shape considering the age. Inside the cradleboard you can see a small doll that is safely tucked away and wrapped in fabric. An amazing piece of Apache art that is rarely available to the public.