Adobe Gallery Blog
Ceremonial Dance with a Deer Dancer and Drummer Painting by Quah Ah - C3868J
This original painting by Tonita Peña (Quah Ah) of San Ildefonso Pueblo was probably painted in the first two years of the 1920s. Over her career, Tonita used a variety of signatures on her paintings. (A complete description of the signatures and corresponding dates used may be seen in the biographical information provided by clicking here or on her name above.)
In this painting, Peña presents a beautiful image of a Deer Dancer in active dance position with his right leg raised in a movement of dance. His deer antler head dress is elaborate with feathers in motion on the antlers. A beautiful green ruff hangs from his neck, eagle feathers bundled together hang from the white rain sash on his back. He wears a beautifully embroidered kilt, white shirt, leggings with yarn ties just below the knees and white moccasin with skunk tied to the backs. In his hands, he carries two sticks that take the place of the deer's front legs.