wood; hide thongs; hide thong or possibly vegetable fibre(?); screws; nails

The backboard of the cradle is a single rectangular piece of carved wood with a tapered end and a row of diamonds carved in relief along the top of the back. The footboard is a separate piece of wood carved into a semi-circular shape with notch, with a tree engraved on the bottom side, and is secured to the backboard with nails. The upright bow is a separate piece of bent wood with notched ends and carved slots. The bow is secured to the backboard with possibly vegetable fibres(?) that are twisted and threaded through the single holes at either end of the bow and holes in the backboard. On the back of the backboard, a carved piece of wood with squared holes has been secured horizontally with screws near the top; the notched ends of the upright row fit securely inside these two square holes. Hide thongs are threaded through holes along the sides of the backboard, possibly for the attachment of a moss bag or cradleboard wrapper.

Tree motif on footboard; footboard carved in possibly dome shape. Row of diamonds carved in relief on the top of the back of the backboard.

Slots carved in hoop, both decorative and could have been used to attach ornaments.

Visit to Denver Art Museum of Alex Nahwegahbow and Ruth Phillips, assisted by Eric Berkemeyer and Kristin Strid on 22 Jan 2014.