poqx'a g'ono (cradleboard), unrecorded Ute artist

Artwork Overview

unrecorded Ute artist, poqx'a g'ono (cradleboard)
unrecorded Ute artist, poqx'a g'ono (cradleboard)
unrecorded Ute artist
poqx'a g'ono (cradleboard)
early 1900s
unrecorded Ute artist, artist
poqx'a g'ono (cradleboard), early 1900s
Where object was made: FOUR CORNERS AREA, United States
Material/technique: cloth; cord; rawhide; beading; grey willow; wire; buckskin
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): approximately 59 x 29 x 17 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 23 1/4 x 11 7/16 x 6 11/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Orvel A. Criqui
Accession number: 2007.2321
Not on display
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Label texts

Archive label, date unknown:
These cradleboards were made between 1900 and 1915 by a Ute woman for her first-born child. The Ute word for cradle is gono. The white color of the buckskin indicates the baby was a boy. If the baby had been a girl, the buckskin would have been painted with yellow ochre or clay. The rawhid backing is formed by shaping after soaking in water or damp earth. The face shielf is made from grey willow twigs which are gathered while green so they can be bent easily. Notice that the wire supports for the face shield on the smallest cradle are wrapped with fabric or covered with beaded buckskin. This prevents the wire from scratching the newborn baby's head and face. The beaded band that goes across the top of the lacing is to protect the lacings and the chin of the baby. The babies have a etndency to chew on the lacings.

This baby'smother probably made a beaded pouch (or amulet) in which she placed teh baby's umbilical cord. the pouch was hung on the side of the beaded band to help the child keep a spiritual adn physical connection to the creation. (Note: a lovely beaded amulet can be seen in the Permanent Exhibit in the case containing the Kiowa and the Crow cradleboards).

Look at the other two cradles in the case on the other landing.

Babies up to two years old were kept in cradles for safety and protection from the weather and from insects. Cradles were carried on the backs of women or hung from tree limbs, from saddle horns or stood on the ground. The cradle was a form of security - it protected the child from being hurt if it fell from the tree of the horse and it would float in water. The cradle also insured a straight back and legs for the baby and taught the child patience and discipline. Small cradles with dolls were made for children as toys to help them learn how to care for the babies.

These cradles were recently donated by Orvel Criqui, a good friend of the Museum of Anthropology. The information in the labels was taken from documentation provided by a Ute spiritual leader.

Look at the other two cradles in the case on the other landing.