Native American, Southwestern United States, Hopi, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A colorful wood panel known as a tablita (tableta) or kopatsoki headdress, intricately cut out to frame the monarch butterflies - the upper butterfly is made from wood and attached to a wire, and the others have woolly bodies and painted leather wings. Upon the tablita are corn and other symbolic motifs, including a snake, stylized rain clouds, and an arc of painted eagle feathers. Women wear the tablita as part of the ritualistic dances, the butterflies on this indicate this was for a Butterfly Dance for which young, unmarried girls wear the tablita. Size: 20" L x 20.5" H (50.8 cm x 52.1 cm)

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Don Phelps collection, owner Todos Santos Trading Post, Alamo, California, purchased in 1974

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#180348

Bending and creasing to leather wings, with losses / bending to wires on wings and stains. Stains and surface discoloration to wood panel. A few stable fissures on the wood. Brightly painted throughout and overall great vintage condition.