Catalog Number
|
Catalog Number |
CAS 2003-0002-0001 | |
| Category | Ceremonial Items | |
| Object Name | House model | |
| Culture | Zuni Pueblo | |
| Global Region | North America | |
| Country | USA | |
| State/Prov./Dist. | New Mexico | |
| County | McKinley | |
| Other Geographic Data | Zuni Pueblo | |
| Maker's Name | Christopher J. Lewis (b. 1969) | |
| Date of Manufacture | 1991 | |
| Collection Name | N/A | |
| Materials | Plywood; Fiberboard; Sandstone; Glue; Commercial cloth; Fur; Pendleton blanket scraps | |
| Description | Scale model of a Zuni Pueblo house as it would appear during the annual Sha'lako Ceremony, one of the Zuni's most sacred rites intended to bring blessings to houses specially built that year to accommodate visits by six Sha'lako Beings, to the entire Pueblo, and to the entire world; Model is constructed of a plywood and fiberboard frame covered on three exterior walls (front and both ends) with hand cut sandstone slabs, one of which is marked with the year 1991 and the artist's initials (CL) and those of his wife; Front wall includes three 4-pane windows, while one end includes door and another window; Back wall is of plywood, covered with white cloth, and has large cutaway area to allow viewing inside; Roof is covered with dirt and has 2 large cutaway areas, also for viewing inside; Interior dirt floor is partly excavated below grade to accommodate 10-foot height of Sha'lako, shown at far end of room at rest; Stone bench is formed along one side of sunken area; Small altar is set up on floor at far end of room and an even smaller altar is suspended from the ceiling; Interior walls are partially covered with replica Pendleton blankets, bear skin, and other textiles, and upper walls are lined with numerous replica sashes, kilts, shawls, concho belts, and other jewelry items; Interior is wired with 3 small ceiling lights, powered by batteries that are mounted on rooftop. | |
| Dimensions (cm) | Height = 26.1, Width = 43.5, Depth = 32.0 | |