Eagle Dancers

Object detail

Media/Materials

Watercolor on paper

Credit line

Bequest of Marion Koogler McNay

Accession number

1950.690

Object type

Drawings and Watercolors

Department

Spanish Colonial and Native American Art

Location

Not on view

Further information

Pueblo people have a special relationship with eagles, believing they are human beings in another form. To the beat of drums, Eagle Dancers create the illusion of the bird's flight, soaring through the clouds, hovering over the fields, and perching on high aeries. Women accompanying Eagle Men wear beautiful snowy white dresses, fringed sashes, and moccasins, accented with jet black embroidered bands, skunk fur, and gleaming hair. Dancers carry black and white eagle feathers in each hand and wear them as head ornaments.

Maker

Tonita Peña (b.1893, d.1949)

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Subject category

San Ildefonso Pueblo Pueblo Native American Americas dancers performers People eagles birds Animals drums instruments Furnishings and Equipment

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