This Kachina is one of a group that was made by commission and has not been clearly identified. He wears the usual dance skirt, has painted dance shoes, and a fur ruff around his neck with a feathered headdress. His snout is in the shape of a wolf or coyote showing teeth along the edges, and his eyes protrude in balls. CONDITION: Proper left arm has been broken and repaired at forearm. Proper right arm has been broken and repaired at elbow. Feathers show insect damage.

This unknown kachina character has a clown-like, painted face and fur-decorated head. He wears a fur vest and a fabric and yarn dance skirt. He wears yarn around his wrists and legs. The rest of his decoration is painted.

This club has the shape of a gunstock, thus the sobriquet 'gunstock club. It may have been used for dance, men’s celebrations, gatherings, and societies. The stock is decorated with red paint and fire markings. Eagle feathers attached to one end have pinked edges. Ribbons decorate the handle, and green military braid serves as a wrist hold.

Immature golden eagle feather headdress with a beaded headband. Base of feathers wrapped in red felt and made over a felt hat base. Streamers of weasel fur and cloth dangle from headband sides. These types of war bonnets were historically worn for special occasions and may occasionally be worn on the battle field (although men often wore one or two special feathers instead). A man earned the right to make one through his brave deeds. Initially he would be awarded a single feather for each deed; a coup, killing, or horse stealing success. Once he accumulated ten feathers he was generally given permission to obtain the eagle feathers for a full bonnet. Ideally they would have 28 eagle feathers and each may have additional notching to designate an event. The tips of the feathers could be tied with the horsehair if a man had counted many coups. Thus the bonnets became oral histories and each piece signified events in the warrior's life. Feathers were very valuable, i.e., 12 feathers equaled 1 horse. These were worn by warriors, not necessarily "chiefs". Only a few very high ranked warriors would have the bonnets with the long trailers down the back. Today bonnets are still made as recognition for achievements in life, dedication to their community as well as war participation. Golden eagles are a protected bird and Non-natives may not use them, buy them or transport them without special permits.

Bequest of W.S. Morton Mead

Brooklyn Museum Collection

Cheyenne or Sioux tipi or possible bag because of the stripe quill pattern and Arapaho, Gros Ventre for the edges of the beadwork. It is a very nice example even if the flap isn't decorated. There is some yellow ochre rubbed into the hide. Venetian beads and sinew sewn.Tipi or possible bag beaded on one side with metal jingles, dyed horsehair decorations, dyed feathers, and porcupine quill decorations. Really nice example with intact quillwork.

Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund

Eagle Dancer (Kwahu) Kachina Doll. Figure is carved from one piece of cottonwood root. He stands with PR arm raised and PL arm lower with both outstretched with pair of 'eagle' wings on arms and back. Chest is ½ yellow and ½ blue over pink painted body. Arms from elbow to wrist have the opposite colors from the chest. Legs are painted to match the chest. He wears a carved white kilt. He wears a blue and white beaded necklace. The helmet style mask has large, disk-like red ears with cotton stuffed near his head where they are attached and turquoise bead loop earrings. He has a feathered headdress in back on his head. His PR foot is raised. Both feet hare barefoot. His beak is open and you can see his red tongue. Wears a fur ruff around his neck. The eagle dance is a prayer for good crops, rain, and plentiful eagle feathers as their feathers are important in many ceremonies because the bird is thought to be sacred. This Kachina usually appears in a group of several forming a dance troop, squawking and imitating eagle behavior while the Koyemshi (mudhead clowns) sing to them. The sponsoring kiva must fast, abstain from sex, and no eating of salty or fatty foods before the dance.

Tall, stately female with elaborate tablita (headdress). Her arms and forearms are broken off. This complex Kachina may take on different personae. She may become Polimana, Butterfly Maiden, when she performs during the March Angl'wa dance ceremonies. Or she may be a troupe of four Corn-grinding maidens during the same ceremonies. Both performances are prayers for rain and bountiful harvest. Lastly she can perform a special dance anytime if sponsored by a kiva.