This is a wonderful hand crafted baby carrier comprised of woven rattan over a wooden base and an exterior embellished with a beaded panel with colored glass beads, conus shell segments, various colored glass beads, bronze bells and animal teeth. Colors and tokens will often depict gender of child, bells and teeth add protection. According to literature it was believed that the souls of young children might wander and come into contact with disease and illness, and so to protect their babies, mothers would attach their babies to their carriers with prayer. The dramatic sun design on the beaded panel was designed to protect the child by scaring off marauding spirits. 13 inches x 12 inches x 8 inches. Provenance: Private New England Collection.

Good, fair