Region / Tribe: Kansas/ Nebraska border/ Otoe-Missouria
Circa: 1891-1895
Material: Various cloths, glass beads, cotton thread, shell disk
Dimension: Diameter 10 inches, Height 2 3/4 inches  
Condition: Overall excellent. Minor bead loss along bottom rim of hat. No restoration

Collection History:  

From a Midwest collection.

Cowan’s Auction. 03/31/07. Lot 519

References:

David Wooley and William T. Waters, “Waw-no-she’s Dance” in American Indian Art Magazine, Winter 1988, pages 36-45.

George Hamell, “Trading in Metaphors: The Magic of Beads,” Presentation at the Glass Trade Bead Conference, sponsored by the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester, New York, June 12-13, 1982.

Comments: In David Wooley and William T. Waters’ fine article on “Waw-no-she’s Dance,”  the Faw Faw movement is described - its background, its vision and its articles of dress. Stars and eagles figure prominently. 

Interspersed between and around the stars and eagles are white nucleated circles and stellate devices with pony-trader blue centers. Clear pony beads shine out along the bottom rim. Color symbolism reflecting the Upper, Middle and Lower Realms provides visual harmonization to the dynamic forces empowering this movement hat. 

In the center of the nucleated star on the crown of the hat is a large white shell disk. The symbolic importance of this dramatic embellishment positioned at the apex of the head cannot be overstated. George Hamell in his essay “Trading in Metaphors: The Magic of Beads,” describes the central importance in Native culture of objects that shine out.

Through the stunning association of stars, eagles, celestial orbs, color symbolism and shining beads and shell an overall vision of cosmological harmony is achieved in this Otoe-Missouria Faw Faw Movement Hat.