![](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/357/329/large_thumbnail_2018_0514__0001_.jpg)
Baby carrier with model baby
- Made:
- 1880-1920 in United States
- maker:
- Sioux people
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/418/616/small_thumbnail_a655883__0006_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/418/619/small_thumbnail_a655883__0009_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/418/615/small_thumbnail_a655883__0005_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/418/614/small_thumbnail_a655883__0004_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/418/617/small_thumbnail_a655883__0007_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/418/618/small_thumbnail_a655883__0008_.jpg)
![Cataloguing card for (A655883) Baby carrier](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/311/180/small_thumbnail_a655883__0009_.jpg)
![Cataloguing card for (A655883) Baby carrier](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/311/177/small_thumbnail_a655883__0005_.jpg)
![Cataloguing card for (A655883) Baby carrier](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/311/176/small_thumbnail_a655883__0004_.jpg)
![Cataloguing card for (A655883) Baby carrier](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/311/179/small_thumbnail_a655883__0007_.jpg)
![Cataloguing card for (A655883) Baby carrier](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/311/178/small_thumbnail_a655883__0006_.jpg)
![Cataloguing card for (A655883) Baby carrier](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/311/181/small_thumbnail_a655883__0008_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/6/605/small_thumbnail_a655883__0003_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/6/604/small_thumbnail_a655883__0002_.jpg)
![Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/6/603/small_thumbnail_a655883__0001_.jpg)
Baby carrier consisting of hide covered board with carrying pouch at front, with cane hood and bead decoration and containing a model baby. Made by Sioux Indians, USA, 1880-1920
Babies were often carried strapped to their mother’s backs in Native American communities. This carrier was made by the Sioux Indians of the Great Plains region of North America. Baby carriers were usually made by women. Intricate beading reinforced the distinct identity of their tribe. This one is made of animal hide stretched and stitched over a frame. It has red, yellow, white and blue beading. On the reverse is a leather strap to hold the carrier in place on the mother’s back.
The child was secured within a pouch by hide strips criss-crossing up the front like a shoelace. It was protected from the rain or sun by a small woven wooden hood tied under its chin. A removable beaded strap hung across the child’s chest either for amusement or as a toy.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A655883
- Measurements:
-
overall: 1002 mm x 485 mm x 240 mm, 5.6 kg
- type:
- baby carrier
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust