Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1142   CAS 0370-1142; Painting
Category Visual Arts
Object Name Painting
Culture Kiowa
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Oklahoma
County unknown
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Al Momaday (Huan Toa) (1913-1981)
Date of Manufacture 1959
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Casein on mat board
Description Painting on dark blue mat board entitled "Mountain Spirits Dancer," depicting Mescalero Apache Gan or Crown Dancer, shown in right profile, bent at knees and with shoulders thrown back, right arm forward and left arm back; Dancer wears moccasins, fringed buckskin kilt, and black head and face mask with crown of wooden slats; Long red streamers hang from his upper arms and he carries wooden sword in each hand; Teepee is shown in background at right and dancer is backlit by light from orange and yellow flames; Signature "Al Momaday" is printed in white paint near bottom center; "Mountain Spirits Dancer, Mescalero Apache by Al Momaday $75.00" is printed in black ink on reverse. This painting was selected by Ruth and Charles deYoung Elkus in 1960 as their annual holiday card, printed by the Grabhorn Press in San Francisco.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 35.7, Length = 43.2