Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1247   CAS 0370-1247; Painting
Category Visual Arts
Object Name Painting
Culture San Ildefonso Pueblo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County Santa Fe
Other Geographic Data San Ildefonso Pueblo
Maker's Name Awa Tsireh (Alfonso Roybal) (1898-1955)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930-1940
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Ink and watercolor on mat board
Description Untitled painting on white mat board depicting a male and female dancer from buffalo dance, both shown in 3/4 right profile; Lead male dancer wears white moccasins, black leggings and shirt, white embroidered kilt, and buffalo headdress with eagle feathers trailing down his back; He carries bow and arrows in left hand and rattle in right hand; Female dancer wears white moccasins, black one-shoulder dress, and embroidered white shawl with parrot (?) feathers in her hair and two turkey or hawk feathers in each hand; Above dancers is horned sun in center, flanked by cloud motif; Geometric design with yucca plant fills each lower corner; Signature "Awa Tsireh" is printed in black ink in lower right corner. Awa Tsireh was the cousin of Margaret Lou Gutierrez, whose work is represented in the CAS pottery collection.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 34.4, Length = 28.7