Cradle Board

ClassificationsFurnishings-Furniture-cradles and cribs

Culture Jemez

Dateearly to mid 20th Century

Made AtNew Mexico, United States

Collection SiteAlbuquerque, New Mexico, United States

MediumHide, wood, fiber and string

Dimensions23 × 9 1/2 × 5 in. (58.4 × 24.1 × 12.7 cm)

Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection

Object number2015.17.66

DescriptionCradle boards served a dual purpose as babies could both sleep and be transported in them. A cradleboard typically has a wooden component, typically some sort of flat backboard. Babies would be swaddled, laid on a layer or layers of soft material and securely attached to a cradleboard with straps. The way in which babies were positioned on the cradleboards mimicked the feelings of being held and limited their movements. This secure carrier allowed for mothers to carry on with daily chores and responsibilities without having to worry about their babies. Cradleboards were often given as gifts and passed down through generations.

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