Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1030   CAS 0370-1030; Painting
Category Visual Arts
Object Name Painting
Culture Fort Sill Apache
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County Santa Fe
Other Geographic Data City: Santa Fe
Maker's Name Allan C. Houser (Haozous) (1915-1994)
Date of Manufacture 1937
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Opaque watercolor on paper
Description Painting on paper entitled "Sacred Apache Fire Dancer" depicting Apache Gans or Crown Dancer, shown in 3/4 left profile; Figure wears high buckskin moccasins, fringed buckskin kilt, and black cloth head and face mask with triangular crown of wooden slats painted with eagle and geometric motifs; Dancer's upper body is painted black with white markings and long red streamers trail from both upper arms; Dancer carries wooden sword in each hand; Signature "Houser-37" is printed in red paint in lower right corner; "Sacred Apache Fire Dancer, Allan C. Houser Indian name Ha-Oz-Ous meaning Pulling Roots, Price [erased]" is printed in pencil on reverse.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 23.5, Length = 30.6