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Handmade brass peyote button box with diamond stamp and turquoise / Unknown

Essay/Description

Owned by Harding Big Bow (Kiowa). A handmade brass box with stamped designs. The side features a stamped diamond. The top features a piece of turquoise mounted/set at its center. This is surrounded by a peyote cactus button design. The lid lifts off the cylindrical box. Inside is stored the chief peyote atop a bed of sage. The underside has the phrase "Ahasteen" stamped on it.

Curatorial Remarks

"AHASTEEN" is a Navajo name. The top resembles a peyote button. This peyote button box was collected in Oklahoma.

Tags: peyote button box, brass, turquoise, diamond stamp
People: Ahasteen, Navajo
Places: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma
Purpose: peyote meeting

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

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Title(s): 
Handmade brass peyote button box with diamond stamp and turquoise
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Harding Big Bow (Artist)
Culture: 
Native American; Southwest (artist), Kiowa (user)
Date: 
20th century
Place: 
Oklahoma
Materials/Techniques: 
brass, sage, turquoise
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gift of Pearl Big Bow
Accession No: 
69.155
Previous Number(s): 
TL1998.28
Department: 
Not On View

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