GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Kayanic warriors’ basketry helmets were adorned with finely cast brass ornaments like this one, which were both protective charms and emblems of rank. This bronze ornament was cast but has cold-worked surface detail (the small circles). At its base is a powerful and protective underworld spirit with a heart-shaped face, large riveting eyes, and a protruding tongue. Framing its head are four hand-like appendages that are neither human hands nor animal paws. The curling protrusions emerging from both sides of the object represent a spirit being’s writhing limbs, and the textured midsection on the emblem represents the back of the spirit’s body. The figure at the top controls this powerful beast. He is either a mythical hero or the embodiment of the wearer’s own strength.
Such an emblem would have been worn only by a heroic paramount chief. It projected his ability to communicate with the spirit world in order to channel and utilize its protective power.
Adapted from
- Roslyn Walker, Label text, 2013.
NOTES
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RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1994: Dallas Museum of Art, The Roberta Coke Camp Fund, purchased from Pacific American Corp, Dallas (Steven G. Alpert)
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
apply to objects where number equals 1994.248
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General Description
Kayanic warriors’ basketry helmets were adorned with finely cast brass ornaments like this one, which were both protective charms and emblems of rank. This bronze ornament was cast but has cold-worked surface detail (the small circles). At its base is a powerful and protective underworld spirit with a heart-shaped face, large riveting eyes, and a protruding tongue. Framing its head are four hand-like appendages that are neither human hands nor animal paws. The curling protrusions emerging from both sides of the object represent a spirit being’s writhing limbs, and the textured midsection on the emblem represents the back of the spirit’s body. The figure at the top controls this powerful beast. He is either a mythical hero or the embodiment of the wearer’s own strength.
Such an emblem would have been worn only by a heroic paramount chief. It projected his ability to communicate with the spirit world in order to channel and utilize its protective power.
Adapted from
- Roslyn Walker, Label text, 2013.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
1994: Dallas Museum of Art, The Roberta Coke Camp Fund, purchased from Pacific American Corp, Dallas (Steven G. Alpert)
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1994.248
source file
object_notes_2_d-0201.xml.nores