Recent Acquisitions

The collections of the Spencer Museum of Art contain a lovely example of a richly embroidered, lattice style Kiowa Cradleboard made by an unknown artist before 1905. Lattice cradles like this one were the preferred type of cradle among the Kiowa from about 1870 to 1910. The creation of traditional cradleboards helped to reinforce ethnic identity and emphasize women's artistic expression. These exquisite and practical works of art are among the most beautiful expressions of Plains Indian bead design of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.