today we are back on the Great Plains - so to speak - and a rare glimpse into the world of Plains Indians
Smithsonian Institution has had many images from their collections digitalized.
One of them is a set of 16 ledger drawings by a rather unknown artist Charles Murphy - Cheyenne - on the tipi covers and social customs of the Cheyenne, but there are more ledger drawings drawn by Charles Murphy.
They come from the James Mooney collection, and it was Mr. Mooney, author of many books eg Kiowa calendar history, who commissioned them
Full Record from the Smithsonian [terms of use]:
Mooney, James 1861-1921
Physical description: 1 volume of 16 drawings : graphite, colored pencil, and ink ; 23 x 29 cm
Culture: Cheyenne Indians, Indians of North America Great Plains
Type: Ledger drawings
Date: 1904 1904-1906
Notes: The drawings were commissioned by James Mooney of the Bureau of American Ethnology. A typed label in the book explains the purpose of the first drawing: "Design for a full size group, for the Field Museum, where the tipi and other equipments are now deposited. Tipi, travois, costumes, tipi furnishings, etc. made by Cheyenne Indians. Drawing also by a Cheyenne Indian from suggestion and dictation of owner of original tipi. James Mooney."
Summary: Tablet containing 16 drawings including pictures of tipi designs, camp scenes, games, and Sun Dance ceremony. Inscribed, "Cheyenne Indian Sketches, Tipis No. 2" and "Drawn by Nakoimens = Bear Wings, alias Charles Murphy. Cheyenne, Cantonment, Okla"
Cite as: Manuscript 2531, Volume 10, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Repository Loc.: National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Museum Support Center, Suitland, Maryland
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| Tipi/Teepee and a family group |
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| Starving Coyote tipi cover - war deeds: horses captured |
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| Glad Road tipi cover - dragon flies and horse |
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| women and men playing snow-snake game |
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| women bring firewood |
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| skinning the bison |
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| women working the hides |
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| swimming |
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| horse race - war bridle and no saddles |
Valete!
