Parfleche

The increased mobility among the post-contact Plains Indians horse culture required that essential goods such as preserved foods (including pemmican), clothing, medicines, and ceremonial items be transported efficiently in lightweight and weatherproof packaging.[3]: 29.

The production of parfleche bags declined drastically when mercenaries hired by the US federal government slaughtered the buffalo herds to the brink of extinction.

A glutinous wash (prepared of prickly pear cactus juice or animal glue) was applied for protection before the moist hide was painted.[8]: 32.

Once the paint was dry, the craftswomen de-haired the opposite side of the hide using a “stoning” method, and cut the outline of the parfleche using a flint or metal knife.[3]: 54.

Historically, the Native women with the most talent in producing parfleches, the painted designs, and similar items, have held respected positions in their communities.[1]: 101. [4]: 716.

While parfleches have been stolen, collected, and admired as art pieces, their 19th-century creators (renowned in their own communities during their own times) have remained largely unknown to colonial anthropologists, collectors, and museum curators, and thus their names tend not to be known.