This is a bunch of owl feathers that would be tied into a hairnet and worn on the back of the dancer's head. They would be secrued with the pin. See 08.491.8802

Plume stick consisting of a wooden handle and two feathers attached to the handle by two cords of white beads.This pin would be stuck into the bunch of owl feathers (08.491.8807). These items are part of the feathered headgear stuck into a hairnet and tied at the back of a dancer's head.

The object, a dance shield, is one of a pair commissioned by Culin for the Museum. The difference between the two is that this shield has a painted pale blue sun with light red stars and the other (03.325.3504) has a pale red sun with light blue stars.

The object, a dance shield, is one of a pair commissioned by Culin for the Museum. The difference between the two is that this shield has a painted, pale red sun with light blue stars and the other (03.325.3505) has a pale blue sun with light red stars.

Museum Expedition 1903, Museum Collection Fund

This cap was part of Brooklyn Museum curator Stewart Culin's personal collection but was originally owned by Frank Hamilton Cushing as part of his own Zuni clothing that he wore. Cushing's acceptance into the Zuni Bow Society was the culmination of his career. Cushing believed the Bow Priesthood to be the most powerful, elaborately organized of all associations. This cap of perforated buckskin is one of the badges of office in the priesthood. It is exceptionally finely crafted.

Kachina doll with articulated arms. Footwear has been painted on the feet.

This Kachina is also spelled Mahedinasha.(taking away feces). He may come during the winter dance series or during the Koanne (the day when the Kachinas go home-six days after the Shalako). The dancers appear early in the morning and go through the village. When they come into the plaza they dance as a group accompanied by a drummer. They can sing nasty songs about the inhabitants of Kothluwala, (the spirit village where the dead Kachinas live) but really they are about the present day Zuni village. See Barton Wright, "Kachinas of the Zuni" for an explanation of how he became so ugly in appearance.

Museum Expedition 1905, Museum Collection Fund

These are delicate earrings made by carving individual shell beads in a technique known as heshi beads. The original heshi beads were made of shells ground into very small, fine beads strung into necklaces. Here, the turquoise is done in a similar manner in addition to the coral.