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Museum Collections
The Museum of the
South Dakota State Historical Society collects, preserves, and
interprets the social, political, and cultural history of the State of South
Dakota and Dakota Territory. The museum makes its collections available
through exhibitions, loans to other museums, and publications. The
collections in storage are open for study by appointment.
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Sioux Horse Effigy
“Friend, my horse flies
like a bird as it runs.”
–Brave Buffalo, Teton Sioux
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A masterpiece of
Sioux sculpture, this horse effigy dance stick is one of only two known
sculptures of its kind in the world.
Carved out of wood, this 3-foot-long sculpture is enhanced by its real
horsehair mane and tail. Leather reins and bridle exhibit the care with
which this sculpture was made. The horse is also riddled with holes,
bullet wounds. Red paint, blood, seems to seep from these wounds,
suggesting that it died in battle. Blood also runs from the horse’s
mouth in the form of red horsehair. Its ears are backward slanting,
showing fear and pain. The horse’s elongated body and forward leaping
motion suggest a leap from life to death.
A Sioux warrior probably carved this piece around 1875 to honor his
faithful steed that had died in battle. A short time later, this piece
was collected by Mary C. Collins (1846-1920), a missionary at Oahe
Mission and Standing Rock Reservation.
The Sioux Horse Effigy is on permanent display at the Museum of the
South Dakota State Historical Society. |
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Back to
Museum Collections
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For
More Information on the Museum Collection please contact:
Daniel Brosz
Curator of Collections
605-773-6013 |
