Quiver, Bows, and Arrows

Description

This quillwork decorated otter skin quiver is depicted in Tableau 48 of the aquatints and is referred to in Travels in the Interior of North America as being of Crow origin. An inscription on the reverse of the watercolor identifies the larger bow as Mandan or Hidatsa and the date of execution as June 4, 1833. At that time Maximilian's party was at Fort Pierre among the Sioux. Although this watercolor could represent property obtained in trade by the Sioux, it seems more likely that the date is in error and that the picture is a studio work done in Europe of artifacts collected from different sources at different times.