Infant cradle.

Evenki

Yenisei province, Turukhansk Krai, Yenisei district

Late 19th century – early 20th century

Paper; leather: natural leather: suede: skin suede (elk – Alces alces); leather: natural leather: hide (reindeer); cloth; metal; glass (glass beads)

РЭМ 1210-81

A wooden box covered with deer leg skin, with a raised bedhead, decorated with bead embroidery, little bells, metal plates and buttons. Pendants ringing at every motion served not only as infant rattles but also as amulets protecting the child against evil spirits. The cradle with the baby in it was suspended with long straps on a pole in the chum tent, or put on the ground, and packed on a deer when migrating. Abstract by M.V. Fedorova