Osage Cradleboard

In the Osage tradition, an aunt from the father's family presents a cradleboard to a newborn child, receiving in return both prayers and gifts. The cradleboard is usually made of cedar, poplar or birch. The upper third of the cradleboard is about three feet long and decorated with carved and painted geometric panels with one half of the design a reflection of the other half.
Many times, the panel is outlined with brass tacks and rests on a row of pierced holes that are flat at the base and rounded at the top. The face guard is made of bent wood that is attached directly below the holes. It is draped with downy feathers, thimbles, beaded strips, or tassels to create interesting objects for the baby to look at such as bells which are fastened to the bar to keep away evil spirits. To complete the cradleboard, a cushion the length of the child's body and necessary wrappings and covers are added for comfort.
The Osage cradleboard is different from neighboring tribes since it has no hood, lacings or footrest, and the board is a plain rectangle.
Cradle in Osage language: u-thu-pshe

Side-facing view of the cradle.