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Wooden and turquoise peyote altar / Ben Adair Shoemaker

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Essay/Description

Owned by Harding Big Bow (Kiowa)

Curatorial Remarks

Not traditional Native American Church design. A father peyote is typically a peyote button; however, this is made out of turquoise. The base is built like a little altar. This is a Southern Plains object used during a peyote meeting and would sit on top of the earth altar. Not a commercial art piece; this was made for use during a peyote meeting.

Tags: father peyote, felt, turquoise, rose wood
People: Barr. Adair Shoemaker,
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: peyote meeting

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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©Gilcrease Museum
Title(s): 
Wooden and turquoise peyote altar
Creator(s): 
Ben Adair Shoemaker (Artist)
Culture: 
Native American; Cherokee, Quapaw, Shawnee
Date: 
20th century
Place: 
Mountain View, Oklahoma
Materials/Techniques: 
wood, turquoise, adhesive
Classification: 
Ethnographic Objects
Ceremonial/Ritual Objects
Object Type: 
Peyote Altar
Credit Line: 
Gift of the Artist
Accession No: 
12.43
Previous Number(s): 
TL2002.37.1
Department: 
Anthropology
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