A Very Rare Maidu , Californian Native American Ceremonial Head Plume
A Very Rare Maidu , Californian Native American Ceremonial Head Plume . Old illegible collection label . Wood , clam shell beads , hemp twine , red shafted-flicker tail feathers , prairie falcon feathers , eagle feather , red tailed hawk feather
19 th Century
Size : 76 cm long – 30 ins long
Cf ( two examples in the Brooklyn Museum , New York , No.s 08 491 8802 , 08 491 8812
19 th Century
Size : 76 cm long – 30 ins long
Cf ( two examples in the Brooklyn Museum , New York , No.s 08 491 8802 , 08 491 8812
Cf ( two examples in the Brooklyn Museum , New York , No.s 08 491 8802 , 08 491 8812 )
The Maidu lived as neighbours of the Pomo on the eastern edge of the Sacramento Valley and the adjacent Sierra Nevada mountains and were divided into three linguistic groups , North Western or Konkow , the Mountain Maidu , and the Southern Maidu or Nisenan .
This head plume was used in the Toto dance , a sacred ceremonial dance that could be performed at any time of the year . It was worn across the back of the head stuck into the hair , together with a flicker band on the forehead and plume sticks that were held in the hand . It may also have served as a wand indicating a members status and position in the secret society . Maidu dance regalia was owned individually and often made by the user and stored for repeated use . However , they are rarely seen as it was Maidu custom to destroy all regalia at the owners death .
The Maidu lived as neighbours of the Pomo on the eastern edge of the Sacramento Valley and the adjacent Sierra Nevada mountains and were divided into three linguistic groups , North Western or Konkow , the Mountain Maidu , and the Southern Maidu or Nisenan .
This head plume was used in the Toto dance , a sacred ceremonial dance that could be performed at any time of the year . It was worn across the back of the head stuck into the hair , together with a flicker band on the forehead and plume sticks that were held in the hand . It may also have served as a wand indicating a members status and position in the secret society . Maidu dance regalia was owned individually and often made by the user and stored for repeated use . However , they are rarely seen as it was Maidu custom to destroy all regalia at the owners death .
A Very Rare Maidu , Californian Native American Ceremonial Head Plume
SOLD