Sculpture

Object/Artifact

-

St. Joseph Museums

Name/Title

Sculpture

Entry/Object ID

2018.3.154 A

Description

Property C47: Rain Gods (2), and Head (1). Object: ceremonial earthenware Gods, Artist/Maker: Tesuque, Title/Model: Rain Gods and Rain God head, Date/Region: Head: ca. 1920 / Pueblo, Rain God, with symbols: ca 1960 / Pueblo, Rain God, no symbols: ca 1930 / Pueblo, Medium/Technique: earthenware, fired, the largest decorated / handmade, Edition/Series: all unique, 1 of 1, Size: 6.5" H x 3.35" W x 3.75" D, largest in group, Condition: head: good, Smaller Rain God: repaired, loose head: poor, Largest Rain God: good, Signature/Inscriptions: n/a, Exhibitions/Literature: n/a, Description/Notes: Historically, The clay figures were made with or without decoration. Symbols commonly seen on rain gods have multiple meanings, include semi-circles to represent clouds, zigzagged lines to represent lightening, and serial triangles to represent water serpents. In the early years of crafting gods, the Tesuque created several types including gods of pain and gods of hunger, which are seen holding their heads, stomachs or other body parts. Comparable property was researched for each individual figure and separately the fair market value for each is $50. Detracting value is assigned to the older, smaller, non-decorated Rain God due to repairs. The largest was purchased at Bob Sleeper Auction, Emma, MO, on March 28, 1993 in lot 131 for $15,

Collection

NATIVE AMERICAN

Made/Created

Date made

1920

Ethnography

Culture/Tribe

Tesuque Pueblo
Native American

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sculpture

Nomenclature Class

Art

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Maintenance

Maintenance History

Date

Feb 19, 2018