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SKU: 5231-386

Northern Plains Bone Game

$600.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

10.5" L x .75" D + 4.25" L Needle

Hand Crafted Bone Game with Hide and Long Steel Needle 

Excellent Condition with Aged Wear

The Northern Plains Bone Game, often simply called the "Bone Game," is a traditional Indigenous guessing game deeply rooted in the cultures of tribes across the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest regions of North America. It is a form of dice or stick game that emphasizes strategy, bluffing, and social interaction, typically played during gatherings, powwows, or ceremonies. While its origins are traced to Pacific Northwest tribes (where it's known as sla-hal or Stick Game), it spread widely among Plains tribes like the Blackfeet, Lakota, Pawnee, and others, becoming a staple of Northern Plains traditions. The game is played by people of all ages and often involves betting with small items like beads, sticks, or modern equivalents, fostering community bonds and friendly competition.

Provenance:  From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California

Condition: Excellent

Tribe: Plains Indian

Year Range: 1850 - 1875

Region: Southwest

Dimensions: 10.5 in0.75 in4.25 in

Shipping

U.S. Shipping: One Flat Rate Per Order

Every U.S. order is packed in-house at our gallery and ships insured via USPS or UPS, with signature required on delivery. You pay one flat rate for the whole order, never per item:

  • Fetishes: $8
  • Jewelry & Pottery: $15
  • All other pieces: $20

Buying from more than one category? You only pay the highest rate in your cart, so eight fetishes and a pair of earrings ship together for just $15.

Oversized Pieces

Large or heavy pieces, such as big pottery, baskets, rugs and framed art, are custom-packed and shipped at actual cost. As a guide, that's anything needing a box larger than 12" × 12" × 12" or weighing over 5 lbs. At checkout, choose Oversized – Shipping Invoiced Separately and we'll email your shipping invoice, usually within 24 hours. Contact us for an estimate before you buy.

International

International orders are welcome! We quote international shipping separately and invoice the actual postage after purchase. Contact us beforehand if you'd like an estimate.