Bring the Kids
See the exhibition George Catlin and His Indian Gallery and ask youngsters to identify this object!
This is a flat case parfleche, or bag, from the Comanche/Niuam tribe. Parfleches are closely associated with the nomadic Plains Indians and their horse culture. The term has become synonymous with large, folded, envelope-like traveling containers made of rawhide. Fabricated by women, the abstract geometric designs were purely decorative with no apparent reference to representational imagery. The long fringes and the decoration on only one side suggest it was made for a man and meant to look good hanging on a horse.
Experience Indian culture and learn more about parfleches at the Renwick Gallery Family Day tomorrow, October 19! From noon to 1:30 P.M., join Keith Bear (Mandan), a flute player and storyteller.
From 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., The Big Day Family (Crow) from Montana will entertain with traditional Native American stories and demonstrations on how to make Crow dolls, turkey feather war bonnets, and parfleches. Make your own parfleche using paper, crayon, and colored yarn.
The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum is located at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street N.W., across the street from the White House. Please see our program calendar for more exciting exhibition-related events.
If your kids cannot come to Washington, then be sure to visit our educational Website, Campfire Stories with George Catlin.
Source: Joan Troccoli. George Catlin and His Indian Gallery (exhibition text), Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2002.
Pictured: Flat case parfleche (Comanche/Niuam); about 1830; buffalo rawhide, pigment; 10 1/2 (exluding flap) x 10 in.; height (with fringe): 31 in., Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution; Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 73,532.
See the exhibition George Catlin and His Indian Gallery and ask youngsters to identify this object!
This is a flat case parfleche, or bag, from the Comanche/Niuam tribe. Parfleches are closely associated with the nomadic Plains Indians and their horse culture. The term has become synonymous with large, folded, envelope-like traveling containers made of rawhide. Fabricated by women, the abstract geometric designs were purely decorative with no apparent reference to representational imagery. The long fringes and the decoration on only one side suggest it was made for a man and meant to look good hanging on a horse.