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Peyote fan with beaded handle and scissortail feathers. / Nelson Eddie Big Bow

Essay/Description

A loose fan tied flat style made of 65 scissortail flycatcher feathers decorated with dyed hackles at their base in teal, yellow, and red. Shoe polished white buckskin extensions cover the base of the feathers and attached them to the handle. Two feathers are completely covered in dyed hackles. The (removable) handle is a shotgun rod. Itis covered in gourd stitch beadwork in cut and seed beads in orange, white, navy, red, yellow, light blue, and brown on a turquoise background. white 2-ply twisted buckskin fringe (16) attaches to the base of the handle. A small silver cross is attached to one piece at the base of the handle.

Curatorial Remarks

Loose scissortail feathered peyote fan with beaded handle. The cross charm is attached to the handle rather than the fringe. Mid-to late 20th century.

Tags: scissortail feathers, peyote fan, Native American Church, cross charm, beaded handle, beadwork
People: Nelson Big Bow, Kiowa
Places: 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): 
Peyote fan with beaded handle and scissortail feathers.
Creator(s): 
Nelson Eddie Big Bow (Artist)
Harding Big Bow (Used by)
Culture: 
Native American; Kiowa
Date: 
20th century
Place: 
Oklahoma
Materials/Techniques: 
feathers (scissortail), hide, glass, metal, wood, cotton
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gift of Pearl Big Bow
Accession No: 
84.2899
Previous Number(s): 
TL1997.73.6
Department: 
Not On View

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