Acoma Pueblo Painted Gourd Rattle by Santiago Manual Paytiamo [SOLD]

This Acoma Pueblo dance rattle was created by Santiago Manual Paytiamo.  The artist used wood, leather, seeds, pigments, and a gourd to make a visually appealing version of one of the most important pieces of dance paraphernalia.  A large collection of Paytiamo’s works surfaced on the market in 2014.  Those pieces were identified as having been made in the 1960s.  While we cannot say with absolute certainty, we believe that this piece was made during that same period.

Paytiamo’s rattle is striking.  The gourd was covered with thick, opaque black pigment before being decorated with a sun face design.  This design was made using bright yellow, red, blue, and white pigments.  Straight yellow lines and zigzagging red lines extend outward from the sun in all directions.  On the rattle’s backside, Paytiamo painted a simpler version—a yellow circle with a white rim.  A worn leather strap attached to the end of the handle suggests use at the pueblo.

Santiago Manual Paytiamo (1922-1998) was an Acoma Pueblo artist.  Paytiamo created dance kilts, rattles, kachina carvings, and other items.  In the summer of 2014, a Santa Fe gallery exhibited a large collection of his works and published an accompanying booklet called “Rhythmic Regalia.”  Some of the pieces in that collection passed through Bonham’s in 2017.  Other than that, there is little published information available regarding Paytiamo’s life and career.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Acoma Pueblo Painted Gourd Rattle by Santiago Manual Paytiamo is from a  private Santa Fe collection

Recommended Reading: Rain - Native Expressions from the American Southwest by Ann Marshall

Relative Links: Other Fine Southwest Collectibles, Acoma Pueblo, Dance Paraphernalia, Santiago Manual Paytiamo