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Beaded necklace in the shape of a peyote water bird / Unknown

Essay/Description

Women's necklace with black iridescent plastic beads with chrome beads and white plastic hair pipes. Large peyote bird with black wings and tall with blue, red, orange, yellow, white, green, and blue design on both sections all sewn to white doeskin. White beaded cross above wing design. 3 strips fringe of chrome beads, black, plastic, white hair pipes, and cowrie sea shells hand from bottom of bird. Clear glass beads surround bird.

Curatorial Remarks

Would have been worn to a peyote meeting and maybe out in public if the person would want to identify as a peyote member. But you certainly see it in a lot of peoples houses.

Tags: waterbird, necklace, pendant
People: Native American Church, Kiowa
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: domestic, ceremonial use

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

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Title(s): 
Beaded necklace in the shape of a peyote water bird
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Kiowa
Date: 
20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
hide, glass, plastic, shell (cowrie)
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
84.2955
Previous Number(s): 
TL1997.87.1
Department: 
Not On View

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