Sonny Gullickson
Yankton Sioux
Lakota Horse
Quirt
16" L
(elk horn)
15" L (rawhide drop)
Sonny Gullickson is a Yankton
Dakota beadworker, who is in his mid-40's. He is the type of
person in old days who would not want to go directly into battle
but would stay behind to protect women and children if he had
to. They are known as "two spirits."
Sonny and all Yankton Dakota
beadworkers love to use fine beads and/or quills and intricate
patterns and color choices as you see on this horse quirt.
This elaborate contemporary
interpretation of a traditional Lakota utilitarian item is a
beautiful example of modern Plains Indian artwork and bead design.
Composed of naturally shed
elk antler, brain tanned buckskin, rawhide, satin, and Whitetail
hide, this authentic Lakota horse quirt would have been used
by a rider to encourage his horse to run as quickly as possible.
The fully beaded wrist strap
features a buffalo motif, in honor of the blackhorns the Lakota
relied upon for food, clothing, shelter, and utensils. The Lakota
people respected Mother Earth and all of her creations. In this
way they paid homage to their "brothers" who gave their
lives so the Lakota might survive.
The rider would slip his wrist
beneath the strap and grasp tightly to the elk horn handle. The
rawhide drop swings freely from the end and acts as a whip on
the hind quarters of the horse.
Finding beauty in all things,
the Lakota, along with many other Native peoples, imbued their
creations with decorative adornments. There was no seperation
between objects of art and utility. They were one and the same.
The tail of a Whitetail deer
has been added to bless the rider and his horse with the spirit
of this swift creature - in hopes that his horse will be also
be as fast.
