Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2005-0004-0001   CAS 2005-0004-0001; Baby carrier / cradleboard model
Category Folk Toys
Object Name Baby carrier / cradleboard model
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah
County
Other Geographic Data Navajo Indian Reservation area
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1960s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Cedar (Cedrus sp.) planks; Rawhide
Description Model of a baby carrier or cradleboard, constructed of two flat cedar planks laid side by side and tied together with 3 short rawhide laces that are threaded through holes drilled along the inside edges of the planks; A cross bar similarly fastened across the underside of the planks; A small flexible footrest is tied to the lower edge of the baby carrier and a bent wooden hoop to protect the infant’s head arches across the top of the baby carrier and is tied at either side; Series of holes is drilled along each outer edge of both backboard planks and a rawhide lace is secured on top forming a series of loops, secured from underneath by a second lace; A separate rawhide lace zigzags back and forth between the two lateral laces and if actually used, this lace would hold the infant inside the baby carrier.
Dimensions (cm) Height = ca. 13.0, Width = 14.5, Length = 37.3