Another of those "multi-purpose" trade relics from the Dakotas...incorporating both [sacred] Christianity symbolism and Native American Imagery to appeal to a wider range of potential trade "customers".

For me, the irony of this oft-used trade concept of those times was simply its display of "ease" with which the [indigenous] Native Americans could be not only acclimated to their new "friends", but in the process could also ensure their individual, well...spiritual salvation. In short, the inference of their new " benefactors' " superiority by providing the one true pathway to being "saved" (from themselves) was deceptively subtle...

...and absolutely shameless.