One of the most distinctive examples of Plains Indian crafts is the parfleche, a large, envelope-shaped container made of rawhide. They were used to store clothing, household effects and food. Made from a single rectangular piece of rawhide this parfleche is closed with leather thongs. The symmetrical, geometric designs in red, green and yellow have been painted on the skin. The parfleches were suspended lengthwise on each side of a horse and were frequently made in matching pairs.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada
