Votive Bowl Item Number: Ni21 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Interior surface of round gourd covered in beeswax and then decorated with beads. Design consists of eight yellow, blue, red, and green circles, at centre bottom, four circles of interlocking green and yellow diamonds. Two rows of red for border. Sides have four yellow, red, and black double headed frontal birds with wings extended to sides, rounded body, and triangular tail between straight legs. Opposing animals between birds at base: two four-legged red reptiles with black split tongues, red animal heads with orange whiskers, one has orange horns and the other has one light red ear. Small red and orange snake with black split tongue next to animal head with orange horns. Between birds at rim, there are two red human figures one with a dog? One orange dog. All figures on blue ground. Band of green at rim, then one row of black bordered by yellow.
History Of Use
Votive objects are offerings to the gods, so that they will hear prayers for health, luck and well-being.
Iconographic Meaning
Double headed bird is considered to be an eagle associated with the god 'grandfather fire'.
Cultural Context
contemporary; tourist art; ritual
Narrative
The Wixáritari are known to the larger world as the Huichol, however that is not the name they use to refer to themselves.
Item History
- Made in Jalisco, Mexico and Nayarit, Mexico before 1980
- Collected during 1980
- Owned by Misiones Franciscanas
- Owned by Ralph Maud before February 1, 1982
- Received from Ralph Maud (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on February 1, 1982
What
Who
- Culture
- Huichol
- Previous Owner
- Misiones Franciscanas and Ralph Maud
- Received from
- Ralph Maud (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Jalisco, Mexico and Nayarit, Mexico
When
- Creation Date
- before 1980
- Collection Date
- during 1980
- Ownership Date
- before February 1, 1982
- Acquisition Date
- on February 1, 1982
Other
- Item Classes
- beadwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 93
- Accession Number
- 0774/0002