Parfleshe (sp)

[oomcurt]

Not sure if I spelled it right or if this is the right place for this....

Kinda curious as to just what it is and how to make/process it. From what I understand it is sort of a rawhide used to store/transport things in...like a large saddle bag I guess. Anyhoo...thought it may be great for rondys in that if it is what I think it is...it sure ought to be allowable. Comments please guys....

 

[Black Hand]

"parafleche" Comes from the French work for rawhide "to turn arrows" (if I am remembering correctly). Used by the Plains tribes (mostly) and are essentially an envelope of thin rawhide that was folded to enclose the items and with ties for closure. Were used to carry personal items and food. Their use by a trapper might be limited unless they had a Native wife. I have thought about making some myself.....

I believe that there are instructions/pictures in the Laubin Tipi book, but I have lent out my copy. There is a drawing of one in the Thomas Mails book "The Mystic Warriors of the Plains" (page 265).
Black Hand

 

[bullclement]

the word parfletch means painted rawhide. traditionaly it was used for cases to carry dried meat and clothes. the saddle bag type for dried meat and a box style for clothes and such and cylidrical shapes for headdresses. it could also be shaped into an envelope for medicines and other good luck charms.

 

[No Powder]

Their is a book, "The American Indian Parfleche" by Gaylord Torrence. It just briefly deals with the construction but has a ton of pictures of orignal Parfleches showing the designs painted on them. The book is subtitled A Tradition Of Abstract Painting. Was real lucky a few years ago at the Des Moines Art Center the had a huge dispay of Parfleche many that are in this book. It made you want to run home and start making some. I believe the book is still avaible through the Des Moines art center. Probably other sources to. As I remember it is not a cheap book but I had to have one.

 

[Claude Mathis]

"parafleche" Comes from the French work for rawhide "to turn arrows" (if I am remembering correctly).

:thumbsup:

From Canadian French: parflèche, from French parer ”˜ward off’ + flèche ”˜arrow.’

 

[crockett]

Does anyone know what was used for the paint?

 

[Birdman]

native paints were made from a variaty of things. Minerals like different colored clays/soft rocks dried n ground smooth then mixed with water or a fat of some sort. Berry juices and different roots can be broken down for the juice and mixed the same way.Charcoal ground up n mixed. Most modern pars I've seen are usually painted with a watered down tempra type paint. Most modern colors are way more vibrent n deep in color then the natural colors I've seen, so its hard to make them look authentic. Just some thoughts YMHS Birdman

 

[Holley]

Or, go to the local hardware store and buy the powder used for marking chalk lines. Basically the same stuff. And they did use old powder paints like we use to use in the first grade.

Or, find the stores that sell the paint powders still ground from old reciepes to make oil and water color paints.

 

[crockett]

Thanks Tipi and Birdman. I have a book by Carrie Lund on quill and bead work that mentions hickory hulls and wild grapes. A guy at the Blackfeet Agency mentioned the charcol and fat. I am mostly interested in the Rocky Mt area- any thoughts on the correct materials for that area?
Also...I am told that a "Diamond" was actual a feather- representing bravery in battle- any info?? Thanks.

 

[Holley]

The powder I listed is correct for the time period. The ground minerals are the same today as used 1000 years ago for making most water color and oil and egg tempera paints. Now what you use for the combining agent has changed...grease, water, hide glue! and spit.

Now you can always "Pee" in a cup, put a piece of old copper in and let is set for a few weeks or months. Scrape off the Patina of the copper or brass, in some cases, and get the lovely blue/green seen on some items.

 

[crockett]

Thanks but I think I'll pass on that paint.