Bequest of W.S. Morton Mead

Museum Expedition 1903, Museum Collection Fund

Anonymous gift in memory of Dr. Harlow Brooks

Mudhead kachina doll with 4 knobs on head, protruding eyes and mouth. Dressed in a black cloth dress tied around the waist with string and a black scarf around the neck also tied together with string. The arms are carved separately and attached with nails. The body is painted in purple-brown paint. Condition: Good. Nail holes in the bottom of the feet, probably from a previous mount.

The name of kachina is by Culin and may not be correct. This kachina has no visible arms and wears a long, almost sarong type, painted textile dress with yarn tassels on the bottom sides. The kachina wears leather boots with turned back cuffs. He has google, textile eyes sewn into the wooden mask and a long wooden snout with painted teeth. He wears a shell amulet painted on both sides and feather boa around the neck. The headdress is a large spray of striped feathers sticking out around the head.

This kachina is wearing a cotton cloth skirt, armbands, and short moccasins. He has his entire chest painted. Wearing an elaborate headdress.

Consultants agreed this shirt was probably Metis or Santee (Eastern Sioux) made in the late 1800s. Style derived from Red River Métis sometimes called Eastern Sioux or Crow. Beadwork has long, spidery look i.e. Crow design where the flower sets in. So may be a mix- Métis inspired Eastern Sioux or Crow. Collar was originally navy blue now faded. The shirt might have been made for army personnel, as this was a popular souvenir to acquire.

This long, elegant flute is made from a sound piece of wood with a bell shaped gourd painted in black, yellow, blue and white. Sprigs of fir are tied around the middle.

The ink is black and red.

The ink is black and red.