Decorative art of the Huichol Indians / by Carl Lumholtz.

  • Lumholtz, Carl, 1851-1922.
Date:
1904
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Decorative art of the Huichol Indians / by Carl Lumholtz. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    33/74 (page 297)
    Fig. 402.—From a girdle. Design: on the border, the steel; on the central band, eye (see Design No. 54). The scroll itself, an eye inside of the eye, represents a small serpent. The entire pattern, in a striking manner, illustrates the usual conception of a girdle as a serpent’s back. Cat. No. Tffj. Fig. 403.—From a hair-ribbon. Design: the steel. Cat. No. DESIGN No. 4.—NOTCHED STICK FOR PAINTING ARROW-SHAFTS (Huichol, rulukui'mi). See Fig. 404. The object from which this design is taken is the little imple¬ ment with which the arrow-maker paints the zigzag lines on the winged part of an arrow, which are interpreted as lightning. It is exceedingly difficult to distinguish between this and the next design. Probably the edges of the latter are more saw-like. Both designs are very plentiful; in fact, there is hardly any pouch in which one or the other is not to be found along the edges, but it would be vain to try to differentiate them. Undoubtedly the great majority are intended to represent the notched deer-bone. Fig. 404. Notched- Stick Design. Fig. 405. A Wooden Ser¬ rated Ceremonial Ob¬ ject, attached to an Arrow and represent¬ ing the Notched Deer- Hone. Length, 1a cm. (As to the other attach¬ ments, see Part I, Fig. 108.) Fig. 407. Pouch showing Borders of the Notched Deer-Bone Design. DESIGN No. 5.—NOTCHED DEER-BONE (Huichol,kalatsi'ki). See Figs. 405-407; also Figs. 399, 413. 438> 451- This design is derived from a wooden object which represents the real kalatsi'ki, or metatarsal bone of the deer. It is made of brazil-wood,1 is about 37 cm. long, and is de¬ posited, either by itself or attached to an arrow, in some god-house, as a prayer for luck in hunting deer. The real metatarsal bone is used in sounding an accompaniment to the