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Native American Church beaded fan handle with geometric designs / Ernest Mihecoby

Essay/Description

Fan handle and socket without fan. The handle is covered by "Comanche brick"-style beadwork and has brass threaded socket at fan end. The bead design is mainly symmetrical with a spring green background with maroon, green, white, orange, black, and red with blue and yellow as accent colors. The handle has a two "legged" pendant attached by leather loop with swivel brad. These "legs" are similar to those on beaded bolo ties. The "legs" are covered by "Comanche brick"-style beadwork. The lower ends have leather sockets with horsehair dyed purple and the upper end at the leather loop is held closed by a beadwork band in white, green, maroon, green rocaille, and black beads.

Curatorial Remarks

This fan handle may have been made from a rifle cleaning rod. The top of the handle twists off from the fan to make it smaller.

Tags: fan, handle, beadwork, green
People: Comanche
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial use

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

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Title(s): 
Native American Church beaded fan handle with geometric designs
Creator(s): 
Ernest Mihecoby (Artist)
Culture: 
Native American; Comanche
Date: 
mid- 20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
wood, glass, brass, hide, horsehair, dye
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Purchased with funds provided by Phillips Petroleum Corporation
Accession No: 
84.2993
Previous Number(s): 
TL1998.141
Department: 
Not On View

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