BEADED CROW CRADLEBOARD BY MERLE JEAN HARRIS

BEADED CROW CRADLEBOARD BY MERLE JEAN HARRIS

Another of our Treasured Crow Cradleboards, this one was made by Merle Jean Harris of the Crow Tribe. It is beaded in Traditional Crow colors, in Native Geometrical designs and with Cut beads, which are cut so that they catch the light and sparkle. Merle Jean has long been one of our great beaders here on the Crow Reservation.

Traditionally used to carry children on the mothers back, cradleboards were the functional option for mothers, yet they also represent the immense love mothers have for their children. Made of wood and adorned with hide, fringes, beads, each cradleboard carries culture and passion of Native American culture.

Our Cradleboards are prized possesions because they are so beautiful and full of Crow heritage and culture and tradition. Most cradleboards these days are made just for family because of the work involved in the creation of one. Few are made for sale and therefore we treasure the ones that have been made for us by the artists here on the Crow Reservation in Montana.