Cradle board with pouch; brass studs on top ends of frames in design–red wool stroud cloth pouch with multi-colored beading, ending in peko edged (red) flaps and buckskin fringe. Cotton lined. Metallic medallions crowning pouch. The designs on this cradle show the distinct effects of Delaware beadworkers among the Kiowa.

This type of cradleboard is called a lattice style. A female relative that was not the mother would typically create the cradleboard as a gift to the baby because new life was seen as a blessing to the entire family.

Tags: cradleboard, red, beadwork, floral
People: Kiowa
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: domestic use

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology