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20th century
Leather, cotton, copper, and glass beads
Gift of James David and John David
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Look
- Tell the Lakota story of the remaking of the world. Because the story honors the sacred turtle as
life-giver, the turtle symbol was worn over a woman's heart.
Which shape is the turtle?
The U-shape at the center of the yoke is a symbol for turtle.
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Detail of turtle from the Woman's Dress |
The design on the yoke of this dress is called turtle-by-the-shore-of-the-lake design.
What represents the lakeshore in the design?
The narrow white strip directly above the turtle symbol.
How is the lake itself represented?
With the color blue suggesting the reflection of the sky.
What might the checkered designs around the turtle represent?
mountains or hills
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- What is this dress made of?
Elk hide.
How can you tell?
(If you have a piece of leather or hide you might pass it around as an example.)
The folds suggest its heavy weight.
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Ketoh (Wrist Guard)
About 1930
Cast silver with turquoise on a leather band
Bequest of Virginia Doneghy |
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Detail of bells from the Woman's Dress |
How are the brightly colored beads applied?
(If you have an object that is beaded you might pass it around as an example.)
In rows, several beads are strung on the needle at a time; then thread is drawn through the hide and brought back out to receive more beads.
- How many different colors of beads have been used on this dress?
Sky blue, dark blue, white, red, green, and yellow.
Which colors also appeared in the Navajo creation story related to the silver and turquoise Ketoh?
White, blue, yellow and red.
Why do you think there is more blue than any other color?
Because water is the realm of the turtle.
- What other decorations make this a good dress for dancing?
Bells in the beaded border on the hem.
- The Lakota woman who beaded this dress made an
ABSTRACT
SYMBOL
that stands for the turtle. Abstract means that certain features are exaggerated and other details are left out.
What features of the turtle did this artist exaggerate?
The oval shape and pattern of a turtle's shell.
What features or details did she leave out?
Legs, eyes, and tail, detailed pattern on the shell.
Think
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Detail of turtle from the Woman's Dress |
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Women beaded turtle
MOTIFS
on their dresses, leggings, bags, and on cradle boards and
AMULETS
for their baby girls.
Why is the turtle an appropriate symbol for girls and women?
Recall the story and turtle's association with the creation of the world. Turtle has the power to create life.
- Lakota people prized the characteristics of the turtle. Women aspired to be like the turtle and hoped their children would also
take on the qualities of the turtle.
What qualities do turtles have that women might want for themselves and their children?
Turtles live long, are resilient, and are always protected by their shell.
- Lakota mythology surrounding the turtle has to do with the creation of the world as we know it.
Can you think of another popular story about a turtle?
The Hare and the Tortoise.
What qualities were associated with that turtle?
"Slow and steady always win the race."
Can you think of other animals that exhibit qualities that people find desirable?
Lions are courageous; foxes are sly and smart; elephants have great memory; owls are wise; mice are quiet; bees are busy; ants are industrious; oxen are strong.
- This Lakota dress was made to be worn while dancing. If we were to see it as it was meant to be used, we would hear music, the
beads would reflect the light, the bells would jingle, and the fringe would swing and sway with the dancer's movements.
Is it possible for us to appreciate this dress as a work of art even though we cannot see it being worn in a dance? Why or why not?
Would we appreciate the dress more if we could see the dress on a dancer? Why or why not?
No right answer.
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