This kachina is called Kokopelli, or the Fertility God. It is made of wood and is painted with commercial paints. He is not a novelty, but an important kachina with the powers of fertility. It’s not a wonder, then, why he has an erection as a part of his being and/or powers. This kachina is […]
Artist George T. Lopez (1900 – 1993) learned the art of woodcarving from his father and as a devout Catholic devoted himself to the carving of santos. Death carts are a particularly New Mexican art form, appearing in the Holy week procession of the brotherhood (Penitentes). The carts represent the power of Death during the […]
This early tourist totem was meant to hang on the wall, as the base is too diminished to have it stand. This totem is unusual for its being carved all the way through. This characteristic is part of what suggests that it’s from the Bella Bella tribe. The workmanship is quite fine having the qualities […]
Here we see a storyteller by Marco Oviedo, showing a penitentes procession during Holy week. Self flagellation is represented by one figure and the death cart being carried by another figure. The Hermanos Penitentes were a religious brotherhood which flourished in the mountain villages of northern New Mexico from the mid-eighteenth to the late-nineteenth century. The figures […]
This simply stated mirror bag has a beaded panel in the front and a plain panel on the back. It is lined on each side with otter fur. The fringe has glass tubular beads at the top. Inside the bag is a wood board with a leaf cutout that was likely meant for the mirror. […]
This doll is an early example of a dressed, Native doll. It has full arms with hands and legs with booted feet that are carved from wood. The torso and head might be carved wood, or some other type of hard material – as yet to be determined. She is dressed with indigo blue stroud. […]
This is a sweet child’s toy crableboard from the last quarter of the 19th century. The hide, beaded with deep magenta glass beads, encloses a baby straddled in cloth. The hide is attached to two boards, covered in early patterned paper and yellow pigment. The back of one of the boards has written on it: […]
It’s rare to find such an early Eskimo doll in such wonderful condition. The adult male is carrying his baby with him on the back with a papoose. The seal fur lines the wood carved at the base as seen in the last photo. The head shows great wear and patina from age and use.
This soft canteen is likely made with buffalo hide. The hide is very pliable and not stiff. But it is thick so it holds its shape very well. The epidermis side (the inside of the hide) is used as the outside of the canteen. The epidermis has been left intact as it’s a natural water […]
This is a very charming and well decorated strike a light bag. The front side is intricately decorated with white, red with white hearts, pink, green, yellow, light blue and deep blue. The bordered front encloses a teepee like design in the center topped with a red cross. The back side mostly shows the hide […]
