A Pair of Comanche Peyote Bird Earrings, Circa 1890

Comanche

Circa 1890 | Silver | Item 1997

This is a special and unique pair of Comanche earrings. The water, or peyote bird, played a special role in the Indian Church movement. The Water Bird is a symbol of the renewal of life, rainy seasons, rivers, distant travel, distant vision & wisdom. Here we see it with a Christian cross in the center, and above that a quarter moon. The bird is further decoration with cuts into the silver to show both the feathers and a sense of movement. The birds are both attached to a loop to go through a pierced ear.