Native American Church Fan
- Date
- c.1950s
- made in
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Textiles
- Collection
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- with fringe: 17 in. (43.2 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mary Ann Stringham
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 198:1993
NOTES
Macaw feathers imbue this Chaticks si Chaticks (Pawnee) peyote fan with great meaning and power. The fan functions as a ritual instrument of the Native American Church, a contemporary religious faith that blends Native beliefs with Christianity. Birds are universal symbols in this faith, and the brilliant feathers in this “loose fan” recall Native influence while the sparkling beadwork on its handle illustrates a cross, primary to Christian theology.
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