Native American Craft Arts
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Cochiti Pueblo on the Rio Grande river in New Mexico is known for their hand hewn drums. Available in many sizes, from small child instrument to extra large coffee table size.
Tatanka is a Lakota word that literally means “bull buffalo,” but Tatanka meant more than that. Ceremonies and daily life revolved around sacred reverence for Tatanka. Bison were the basis of life for Plains Indians, providing spiritual inspiration, food, clothing, shelter, household items, tools, weapons, and ceremonial items. Plains Indians had over 100 uses for the various parts. Bison represent abundance.
Tom Yazzie- Navajo Folk Art Sculpture Artist- is known for his fine woodcarvings depicting Navajo scenes of silversmiths and weavers. Tom was born in Fort Defiance Arizona in 1930, he has been actively carving since the 1950’s. Tom carves and paints cottonwood, depicting scenes of daily and ceremonial life with great detail and realism. He has a piece in the Smithsonian's American Art Museum.
"Medicine Man" by Erla Graham, is a large doll or a carving unique in it's category. Given extreme attention to detailing, Erla has carved the figure and created the costumes and decorated them. The Medicine Man is dancing, wearing a real buffalo skin headress and is holding a real Ermin that is fully beaded. The carved figure stands 23 inches tall.
Sioux bead work on leather with a hand made steel blade and wooden handled knife. The hand made knife has some rust on the blade. The sheath is in excellent condition. The seed beads are in navy and light blue, dusty pink and bronze on a white background.
Miniature bark and grass basket measures 2 inches in diameter. There is a white star design in the central focal point of the basket. Finely woven with seven wrapped coils, leading to the center.
Ray Gallegos and his family of Cochiti Pueblo in New Mexico, make beautiful cottonwood drums by hand. We carry all sorts of sizes, from 10 inches to 100 inches and they are available for shipping. People use them as musical instruments and for displaying their art. Please call for other available sizes and to get a shipping quote.
"Journeyman"-Scraffito is the delicate incising or carving of a design on to the surface of clay. Norman does his unique, one of a kind, original works in clay. He considers the clay to be his canvas. Norman signs and titles all of his carved pottery on the bottom of the vessel. Layers of detail, layers of carving and layers of imagination. This is the style of artist Norman Lansing. The flowing design on the pot leads the viewer from one scene in to the next. Figurative, abstract, traditional, the imagery is all connected.
Nelson Lewis has titled this sandpainting "Water Creatures". There is the legend of a monster that is shattered into pieces by the Monster Slayer, creating the Water Creature. The water creature was called Te-o-sol-hi and was instructed to make the rivers flow and tend to them, henceforth. Water is very important in the desert southwest and is seen in the art of the native people, in many different forms.
Navajo people believe the universe to be delicately balanced. If it is out of balance, then it is restored by healing the offender with chants, herbs, prayers, songs and sandpaintings. Wallace Ben has named this fine example, " Water People Under the Sun Chant". The quality of a sandpainting is determined by the fineness and uniformity of the sand, the complexity of design and the skill of the artist in producing even, straight, uniform lines. There is so much detail and imagery in this 28 inch by 28 inch ceremonial painting.
These Crow cuffs were made in the 1960's of wool and decorated with seed bead decoration. They are each 11 inches by 6 inches.
This beaded, ceremonial collar has a center piece that measures 10 1/2 inches long. The beads are clear and opaque glass . The background is soft yellow and bright yellow beads trim the collar.
This unusual container is made from a moose hoof. It is fully lined, has a carrying strap and a snap type closure. It measures 7 inches high.
Seed Bead Buckle-A well made floral design, this buckle measures 4 1/2 inches wide. It will fit a 2 inch belt. We have 50 other designs, call for inquires.
Beaded Eagle Buckle-The buckle is 4 1/2 inches wide and fits a 2" belt. The beading is in great condition.
Hand made, beaded hair ornaments with leather ties make a great way to hold hair in place. Each of the hair ties has a diameter of 2 1/2 inches.
These children's Cree Tribe moccasins are made of leather and decorated with rabbit fur and handdone beadwork.
This elk hide saddle throw was sewn with sinew and decorated with seed beads. It was remade into a saddle throw, originally we believe it was a woman's robe as you can see painted designs on the under side and among some of the fringe. It dates from about 1900 to the 1920's.
This is an amazing piece of bead-work, and a wonderful example of Plains Indians history and their abilities for not wasting a single usable piece of anything. This piece would make an excellent addition to a collection, or simply as an addition to your home's decor. This piece comes with a museum quality armature to display it on that can be adjusted to hang on a wall or be free-standing.
ca 1900-1920's Beaded Woman's Sioux Tribe Dress- well beaded Sioux woman's dress dates to the early 1900's. It features a detailed bead-work yoke on the front, back and sleeves, as well as other bead-work details on the hem of the dress. Spectacular collectors piece or that of a museum. It is a rare piece of Plains Indians' history. The dress comes complete with a museum quality armature to display it on that can be adjusted to hang on a wall or be free-standing.
