Bow
c 1880s-1900
Nez Perce bows were made out of available materials. While primarily made from wood, as in this case, bows made from the horns of big horn sheep (Ovis canadensis) were highly prized as trade items because of their strength and durability. The full length of the bow is wrapped in canvas with a wrapping of red trade cloth and sinew at the handle. The bow does not have notches for the bow string. It appears that the bowstring was wrapped in sinew.
Wood (Hawthorne [Cratagaegus douglasii]or serviceberry[Amelanchier alnifolia]). L 122 , W 3 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 1799