Parfleche Envelope with Double Hourglass Design, circa 1890

Antique Sioux parfleche envelope, circa 1890, handcrafted from hide in the Great Plains region and painted with natural pigments. The exterior is decorated with a bold, symmetrical geometric composition centered on a repeated double hourglass motif.
Strong fields of red, green, yellow, and blue are outlined and divided by narrow linear bands, creating a vivid and highly structured design across both the flap and body of the envelope. The painted decoration is arranged to emphasize symmetry and movement while retaining the practical folded form of the parfleche.
Parfleche envelopes were traditionally made from rawhide and used by Plains peoples for storing and transporting food, clothing, and personal belongings. This example is especially striking for its large-scale geometric pattern, bright polychrome surface, and strong overall visual presence.

Provenance:
H. Malcolm Grimmer, Santa Fe, New Mexico
David Cook Galleries, Denver, Colorado
Private Collection, Edwards, Colorado, 2003