Umbilical Fetish

Description

This is an umbilical fetish, likely from Sioux or other Plains Indian tribes. Partially diamond shaped, it is adorned with glass seed beads of different colors including: blue, red, yellow, dark blue, and green. The fetish has small cowry shells attached to all corners on beaded strings. Traditionally made for infants to hold their dried umbilical cord, they were believed to offer protection and connect the child to the spirit world. The shape and design of the fetish represented an animal whose traits the family wished for the child to possess. Dimensions: 7”x9.5” x1” outstretched. See photos.

Buyer's Premium

23%

Umbilical Fetish

Lot 2312

Estimate $250-$10,000Jun 19, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT

Starting Price

Secure

$100

SET YOUR MAX BID

Good Bid

Strong Bid

Competitive Bid

Or select a higher max bid amount

1 bidder is watching this item

Get approved to bid.

LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection

Vetted auction houses

Secure, online bidding

Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings

Dedicated support when you need it

Relics of the American West

Jun 19, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

Union, IL, United States

Eastern Woodland Beaded Bag: This is an eastern Woodlands beaded purse possibly dating to the late 19th century Or early 20th century. It features intricate beadwork and a netted geometric design using colors such as black white

Jun 19, 2026Eastern Woodland Beaded Bag

1880s Northern Plains Tacked Belt W/Knife & Sheath: This Northern Plains tacked belt and knife sheath circa 1880s is crafted from harness leather and adorned with rows of brass tacks on one side. Leather is supple and live. Knife w/ wooden grip marked

Jun 19, 20261880s Northern Plains Tacked Belt W/Knife & Sheath

Plains Indian Floppy Head War Club w/Beaded Handle: Plains Indian Floppy Head War Club w/Beaded HandleThis “Floppy Head” Plains Indian war club also referred to as a skull cracker. It features a stone head wrapped in hide attached to a

Jun 19, 2026Plains Indian Floppy Head War Club w/Beaded Handle

Northern Plains Pipe w/Horse Head Effigy Catlinite: This beautiful Northern Plains pipe, carved from sacred red Catlinite revered by the plains and woodland tribes alike, features an effigy bowl depicting a horse head looking back at the pipe smoker.

Jun 19, 2026Northern Plains Pipe w/Horse Head Effigy Catlinite

1820s Cast Iron Tomahawk - Handle Replaced: This 1820s cast iron tomahawk features a robust hand forged head with prominent cutting edge and rear spike. The hardwood handle stained a deep reddish brown is likely a replacement. Axe head pinned

Jun 19, 20261820s Cast Iron Tomahawk - Handle Replaced

N Plains Pipe w/Cast Iron Tomahawk Head/Cheyenne: Northern plains tomahawk pipe with Cheyenne beaded drop circa 1890s. Features a cast iron head with heart-shaped cut out in center. Handle is decorated with brass tacks and features a series of file

Jun 19, 2026N Plains Pipe w/Cast Iron Tomahawk Head/Cheyenne

Vintage Bearpaw Style Wooden Snowshoes: These classic "Bearpaw" style snowshoes are a testament to traditional winter craftsmanship, likely dating from the mid-20th century. Constructed with sturdy steam-bent wood frames and intricate

Jun 19, 2026Vintage Bearpaw Style Wooden Snowshoes

Vintage Wooden Huron Snowshoe Pair: This pair of traditional Huron-style snowshoes represents classic North American craftsmanship, likely dating from the mid-20th century. Constructed with steam-bent wood frames—most likely ash

Jun 19, 2026Vintage Wooden Huron Snowshoe Pair

Vintage Leather Scabbard & Tool Bag Group: This historically rich collection features two heavy-duty leather scabbards and a finely hand-tooled leather accessory bag. The 34-inch scabbard is of significant interest to military and saddlery

Jun 19, 2026Vintage Leather Scabbard & Tool Bag Group

Antique Hudson's Bay Co. Copper Kettle: This is a remarkable find for any serious collector of frontier history: a hand-hammered copper trade kettle bearing the iconic HBC (Hudson's Bay Company) stamp near the rim. This piece represents

Jun 19, 2026Antique Hudson's Bay Co. Copper Kettle

3 Mining Hand Tools: Antique Miners Tool Lot: 3 Piece SetThis is a fantastic, rustic lot of three antique mining hand tools that immediately evokes the demanding labor of an earlier era. Includes a short-handled shovel

Jun 19, 20263 Mining Hand Tools

Antique Eagle Pommel Saddle, Blanket, Braided Tack: This ensemble features a late 19th-century Western "half-seat" saddle characterized by a striking cast brass eagle head pommel, a motif often associated with fraternal organizations or patriotic

Jun 19, 2026Antique Eagle Pommel Saddle, Blanket, Braided Tack

Antique Hudson's Bay Co. Copper Kettle: This is a remarkable find for any serious collector of frontier history: a hand-hammered copper trade kettle bearing the iconic HBC (Hudson's Bay Company) stamp near the rim. The piece features a

Jun 19, 2026Antique Hudson's Bay Co. Copper Kettle

Beaded Reservation Era 1880-1920 Plains Indian Bag: This striking Plains-style hide bag features intricate seed beadwork in vibrant blues, greens, and reds, accented by horseshoe motifs and tin cone "jingles." While some accents appear to be traditiona

Jun 19, 2026Beaded Reservation Era 1880-1920 Plains Indian Bag

Native American Beaded Umbilical Fetish: This exceptional Plains-style umbilical fetish, most likely of Lakota (Sioux) or Northern Cheyenne origin, is a classic protective amulet traditionally crafted to house a child's umbilical cord. In ma

Jun 19, 2026Native American Beaded Umbilical Fetish

Northern Plains Beaded Turtle Pouch With Horsehair: This striking Plains-style beaded turtle pouch, likely a 20th-century piece, serves as a traditional talisman often used to hold a child's umbilical cord to ensure a long and protected life. The top f

Jun 19, 2026Northern Plains Beaded Turtle Pouch With Horsehair

1900s Skookum Doll: Pre-WWI Skookum DollThis is a Skookum doll which was a Native American-themed doll sold as a souvenir in the early 20th century. Not Indian made, they were designed and created by a non-Indian woman-

Jun 19, 20261900s Skookum Doll

Hopi Ceremonial Gourd Rattle: This is a Hopi gourd rattle traditionally used in ceremonies and dances. The rattle features a spherical gourd body painted a flat black and white with geometric designs and outlined in red. A sturdy

Jun 19, 2026Hopi Ceremonial Gourd Rattle

1890s Menomonee Beaded Sash: This striking loom beaded sash attributed to the Menominee tribe of Wisconsin dates to approximately 1890. It exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship and cultural artistry of the era. The sash

Jun 19, 20261890s Menomonee Beaded Sash

Victorian Ladies Shoes, Eyeglasses, Photo Album: This is a beautiful collection of late 19th-to-early 20th-century family history, centered around a stunning Victorian photo album. The album itself is bound in a deep red velvet, brass clasp

Jun 19, 2026Victorian Ladies Shoes, Eyeglasses, Photo Album

Related Items

A Southern Plains Beaded Hide Peyote Pouch c. 1: A Southern Plains Beaded Hide Peyote Pouch c. 1900 hide, yellow ochre pigment, glass seed beads, metal cones, sinew Length: 8 inches overall HID03101062020 ©

Jun 17, 2026A Southern Plains Beaded Hide Peyote Pouch c. 1

A Plains Beaded Hide Knife Sheath and Knife c. : A Plains Beaded Hide Knife Sheath and Knife c. 1900 hide, pigments, glass seed beads, metal cones, dyed horse hair, dyed porcupine quills, sinew; wood&c

Jun 17, 2026A Plains Beaded Hide Knife Sheath and Knife c.

Beaded Reservation Era 1880-1920 Plains Indian Bag: This striking Plains-style hide bag features intricate seed beadwork in vibrant blues, greens, and reds, accented by horseshoe motifs and tin cone "jingles." While some accents appear to be traditiona

Jun 19, 2026Beaded Reservation Era 1880-1920 Plains Indian Bag

Ceremonial dance cover for queen mother, probably grasslands people, Cameroon: Glass beads and organic materials. Dimensions: 120 x 80 x 5 cm. A visually striking African ceremonial piece, elaborately decorated with glass beads on an organic support and presented in a custom-mad

Jun 17, 2026Ceremonial dance cover for queen mother, probably grasslands people, Cameroon

Northern Plains Beaded Turtle Pouch With Horsehair: This striking Plains-style beaded turtle pouch, likely a 20th-century piece, serves as a traditional talisman often used to hold a child's umbilical cord to ensure a long and protected life. The top f

Jun 19, 2026Northern Plains Beaded Turtle Pouch With Horsehair

Native American Beaded Umbilical Fetish: This exceptional Plains-style umbilical fetish, most likely of Lakota (Sioux) or Northern Cheyenne origin, is a classic protective amulet traditionally crafted to house a child's umbilical cord. In ma

Jun 19, 2026Native American Beaded Umbilical Fetish

Beaded Hide Medicine Bag: 9"L from top of handle to bottom of fringe. Loose threading and minor bead loss throughout. Tear in hide near opening. Provenance: Collection of William and Diane Itter.

Jun 12, 2026Beaded Hide Medicine Bag

TOP