Frank and Lally House Team Up to Make a Significant Work for the CLA Live Auction

Combining their talents, this husband and wife team has produced a stellar example of an 18^th century American Indian neck knife sheath with dagger.

The sheath, made and decorated with porcupine quills and moose hair embroidery by Lally is done in the Lenape/Delaware style. She utilizes traditional quilling techniques on brain tan leather which has been dyed to a dark brown. The neck strap is constructed of multiple strands of quill wrapped linen thread with a quilled panel at the top. In keeping with the tradition of recreating a traditional and authentic work of art, all components are dyed by using all natural dyes, and are sewn with linen thread.

The dagger, hand forged by Frank is based on an example shown in Madison Grant’s book The Knife in Homespun America.  The blade is made of spring steel filed with an oval sculpted ricasso and heavy medial ridge on each side.  The Frank House touchmark is stamped into the ricasso.  The fluted handle of hickory is held by an iron washer peened over the tang.

The CLA Live Auction will be on Friday, August 20th at 4:00 PM.

Copy and photos supplied by David Wright.