"Navajo Peyote Symbols" circa 1980s, Watercolor.

Edition: Unique. Signed in paint, Eddie Tsosie, lower right, directly beneath image.

Image area, approximately: 11 1/4 x 7 inches (285 x 177 mm). Board: 12 3/8 x 8 3/8 inches (313 x 213 mm).

Excellent condition. Painted on 4-ply mat board. Eddie Tsosie is a member of the Navajo Nation. In the late 1800s, as the Native American Church grew in both membership and spiritual importance, a multitude of symbols were adopted to reflect this new visionary world. Originating out of Southern Plains reservations, the Church chose as it's sacrament the peyote cactus bud, not so much for its psychoactive response (which is seen as secondary or even irrelevant) but for its healing affects upon Church participants.

In this painting a variety of Native American Church symbols are incorporated. The drum at the bottom supports a peyote rattle with its gourd and feather top and beaded handle below. The background is a tipi within which the ceremonies occur. A blue Water Bird (symbolizing a cormorant) ascends toward an arch that interprets the crescent shaped alter built inside of the tipi.     

$300.00

Edition: Unique. Signed and dated in paint, Eddie Tsosie  '92, lower right, directly beneath image.

Dimensions of paper: 2 3/4 x 16 1/2 inches (70 x 412 mm).

Excellent condition. Painted full sheet on textured watercolor paper. Eddie Tsosie lives in Chinle, Arizona, and is a member of the Navajo Nation. Signed and titled on the old mat. A very nice nighttime snowfall scene with a man outside of his hogan and bringing in firewood.

$250.00