Taos Elk Hunting Fetish With Provenance

Item: 1600

Origin: Taos Pueblo
Date: Late 19th to early 20th century

Media: Clay, hide

Dimensions: 7.5″ long, 2 3/4″ high

Description: These animal fetishes are made out of unfired clay with evidence of feathers and straw stuck into the body.  Hide is used to represent its ears and antlers.  This is an elk, and could have been used as a hunting fetish.  This is one of the better ones I have seen, both in size and condition.  The elongation of its body with the head pointed forward is a characteristic look of an elk, especially one checking out its environs.  Please read more about this fetish in the last photo where a description is found when it was published in 1991.

Provenance: Estate / Collection: Property from the Collection of Alistair Bradley Martin

Literature: Allan Wardwell, “Fetish,” The Guennol Collection, vol. III, The Brooklyn Museum, New York, 1991, p. 174, illus.

Condition:  Condition is original without restoration.

Price: 1550