Hopi 2nd Mesa Male Runner’s Award Plaque [SOLD]

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Artist Unknown

Close up view of this basket.

The Hopi from Second Mesa villages of Shungopavi, Shipaulovi, and Mishongnovi have made coiled basketry for more than a hundred years and those made today are made in the same manner as before.  Many baskets woven are not for sale but are for ceremonial or obligatory paybacks among the Hopi.  If a nephew takes food to an aging aunt on a regular basis, she then would make a basket to give him as payback.  If the father of the groom weaves the wedding attire for the bride, her family then makes baskets as payback.  Baskets are used in women’s dances and as gifts to be thrown from rooftops during plaza ceremonies.

 

Baskets are also made to be given as awards to the Hopi young men participating in running events.  This basket is one that was an award.  It is faint, but take note of the light green stripes that cross in the middle of the basket and extend to the last coil.  This is “copper ore ground, mixed with sacred water and bee honey,” which has been wiped on the surface of the coils.  This is something seen frequently on pueblo pottery that has been used for ceremonial purposes.  Once received, the recipient is free to sell the basket if he desires.

 

This plaque has the original Hopi Arts & Crafts Gallery tag that was applied at the time the plaque was brought it for sale.  The name on the tag is Byron Naseingaetewa (?), presumably the individual who brought the basket to the gallery and, presumably, the winner of the race for which the plaque was awarded.  On the back of the tag is written in ink: copper ore ground mixed with sacred water and bee honey.  Large baskets distance runner prayer feathers places in field.

 

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Hopi 2nd Mesa Male Runner’s Award Plaque Basket is from the inheritance of a daughter of the Balcomb family, owners of several art galleries of Native American art and objects in the post-WWII era until the 1970s when they closed their last gallery.

Recommended ReadingHopi Basket Weaving: Artistry in Natural Fibers by Helga Teiwes

Example image of another Runner's Award Plaque basket.

Artist Unknown
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