Snake Dancer Kachina, Hopi artist Peter Henry (Hoyesva) Shelton Jr,
$650.00
Carved by recognized artist, Peter Henry (Hoyesva) Shelton Jr., this very unique piece is not technically a kachina. Long since closed to outside observers, this beautiful carving represents a rare glimpse into the spectacle that is the Snake Dance. This piece is carved from cotton wood and stands approx. 14 inches tall. The widest point is elbow to elbow and measures approx. 5 inches. The headdress is made of feathers, there is a stripe of soft leather with small shells that drapes around the neck and split leather fringe is attached to the carved and painted skirt. A necklace of fine beads adorns the neck. The rattlesnake is semi pliable and very intricately and authentically painted. The piece is signed on the base by the artist. The carving is in very good condition, the paint is crisp with very few signs of wear. The detail in the painting sets this apart from many pieces. Please carefully review photos for full perspective.
Within the Pueblo Nations, Snake Dancers are highly respected religious leaders who conduct special ceremonies. These dancers would typically appear in mid-August, often accompanied by Antelope priests. During the dance these priests dance with live rattlesnakes and/or bull snakes in their mouths. The live snakes are referred to by the priests as their 'elder brothers.' These are obviously not dancers with 'faces' and therefore are not 'Kachinas.' For those who are interested, a lot more information can be found in the books "Hopi Snake Ceremonies" by Jesse Walter Fewkes, and"Moki Snake Dance" by Walter Hough, both from Avanyu Publishing.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this beautiful piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
PLEASE NOTE: These kachina dancers are very fragile, because of this we cannot guarantee there will not be some small loss to very fragile accents. We do our best to pack them well, but even with the best packing, small pieces can break. If you are purchasing kachina dancers, please keep this in mind.
Within the Pueblo Nations, Snake Dancers are highly respected religious leaders who conduct special ceremonies. These dancers would typically appear in mid-August, often accompanied by Antelope priests. During the dance these priests dance with live rattlesnakes and/or bull snakes in their mouths. The live snakes are referred to by the priests as their 'elder brothers.' These are obviously not dancers with 'faces' and therefore are not 'Kachinas.' For those who are interested, a lot more information can be found in the books "Hopi Snake Ceremonies" by Jesse Walter Fewkes, and"Moki Snake Dance" by Walter Hough, both from Avanyu Publishing.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this beautiful piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
PLEASE NOTE: These kachina dancers are very fragile, because of this we cannot guarantee there will not be some small loss to very fragile accents. We do our best to pack them well, but even with the best packing, small pieces can break. If you are purchasing kachina dancers, please keep this in mind.
Carved by recognized artist, Peter Henry (Hoyesva) Shelton Jr., this very unique piece is not technically a kachina. Long since closed to outside observers, this beautiful carving represents a rare glimpse into the spectacle that is the Snake Dance. This piece is carved from cotton wood and stands approx. 14 inches tall. The widest point is elbow to elbow and measures approx. 5 inches. The headdress is made of feathers, there is a stripe of soft leather with small shells that drapes around the neck and split leather fringe is attached to the carved and painted skirt. A necklace of fine beads adorns the neck. The rattlesnake is semi pliable and very intricately and authentically painted. The piece is signed on the base by the artist. The carving is in very good condition, the paint is crisp with very few signs of wear. The detail in the painting sets this apart from many pieces. Please carefully review photos for full perspective.
Within the Pueblo Nations, Snake Dancers are highly respected religious leaders who conduct special ceremonies. These dancers would typically appear in mid-August, often accompanied by Antelope priests. During the dance these priests dance with live rattlesnakes and/or bull snakes in their mouths. The live snakes are referred to by the priests as their 'elder brothers.' These are obviously not dancers with 'faces' and therefore are not 'Kachinas.' For those who are interested, a lot more information can be found in the books "Hopi Snake Ceremonies" by Jesse Walter Fewkes, and"Moki Snake Dance" by Walter Hough, both from Avanyu Publishing.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this beautiful piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
PLEASE NOTE: These kachina dancers are very fragile, because of this we cannot guarantee there will not be some small loss to very fragile accents. We do our best to pack them well, but even with the best packing, small pieces can break. If you are purchasing kachina dancers, please keep this in mind.
Within the Pueblo Nations, Snake Dancers are highly respected religious leaders who conduct special ceremonies. These dancers would typically appear in mid-August, often accompanied by Antelope priests. During the dance these priests dance with live rattlesnakes and/or bull snakes in their mouths. The live snakes are referred to by the priests as their 'elder brothers.' These are obviously not dancers with 'faces' and therefore are not 'Kachinas.' For those who are interested, a lot more information can be found in the books "Hopi Snake Ceremonies" by Jesse Walter Fewkes, and"Moki Snake Dance" by Walter Hough, both from Avanyu Publishing.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this beautiful piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
PLEASE NOTE: These kachina dancers are very fragile, because of this we cannot guarantee there will not be some small loss to very fragile accents. We do our best to pack them well, but even with the best packing, small pieces can break. If you are purchasing kachina dancers, please keep this in mind.
Carved by recognized artist, Peter Henry (Hoyesva) Shelton Jr., this very unique piece is not technically a kachina. Long since closed to outside observers, this beautiful carving represents a rare glimpse into the spectacle that is the Snake Dance. This piece is carved from cotton wood and stands approx. 14 inches tall. The widest point is elbow to elbow and measures approx. 5 inches. The headdress is made of feathers, there is a stripe of soft leather with small shells that drapes around the neck and split leather fringe is attached to the carved and painted skirt. A necklace of fine beads adorns the neck. The rattlesnake is semi pliable and very intricately and authentically painted. The piece is signed on the base by the artist. The carving is in very good condition, the paint is crisp with very few signs of wear. The detail in the painting sets this apart from many pieces. Please carefully review photos for full perspective.
Within the Pueblo Nations, Snake Dancers are highly respected religious leaders who conduct special ceremonies. These dancers would typically appear in mid-August, often accompanied by Antelope priests. During the dance these priests dance with live rattlesnakes and/or bull snakes in their mouths. The live snakes are referred to by the priests as their 'elder brothers.' These are obviously not dancers with 'faces' and therefore are not 'Kachinas.' For those who are interested, a lot more information can be found in the books "Hopi Snake Ceremonies" by Jesse Walter Fewkes, and"Moki Snake Dance" by Walter Hough, both from Avanyu Publishing.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this beautiful piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
PLEASE NOTE: These kachina dancers are very fragile, because of this we cannot guarantee there will not be some small loss to very fragile accents. We do our best to pack them well, but even with the best packing, small pieces can break. If you are purchasing kachina dancers, please keep this in mind.
Within the Pueblo Nations, Snake Dancers are highly respected religious leaders who conduct special ceremonies. These dancers would typically appear in mid-August, often accompanied by Antelope priests. During the dance these priests dance with live rattlesnakes and/or bull snakes in their mouths. The live snakes are referred to by the priests as their 'elder brothers.' These are obviously not dancers with 'faces' and therefore are not 'Kachinas.' For those who are interested, a lot more information can be found in the books "Hopi Snake Ceremonies" by Jesse Walter Fewkes, and"Moki Snake Dance" by Walter Hough, both from Avanyu Publishing.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this beautiful piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
PLEASE NOTE: These kachina dancers are very fragile, because of this we cannot guarantee there will not be some small loss to very fragile accents. We do our best to pack them well, but even with the best packing, small pieces can break. If you are purchasing kachina dancers, please keep this in mind.