165. Painted elk hide. Attributed to Cotsiogo (Cadzi Cody), Eastern Shoshone, Wind River Reservation, Wyoming. c. 1890-1900 CE Painted elk hide.
Form
Hide paintings mark past events
Bison considered to be gifts from the Creator
Horses, in common use around 1750, liberated the Plains people
Teepee: made of hide stretched over poles:
Exterior poles reach the spirit world or sky
Fire represents the heart
The doorway faces east to greet the new day
The sun dance was conducted around a bison head, and was outlawed by the U.S. Government; viewed as a threat to order
The sun dance involved men dancing, singing, preparing for the feast, drumming, and constructing a lodge. They honored the Creator deity for the bounty of the land
The Marriott's deeds were celebrated on the hide
Function
Worn as a robe over the shoulders of the warrior
Perhaps a wall hanging
Context
Depicts biographical details; personal accomplishments; heroism battles
Men painted hides to narrate an event
Eventually, painted hides were made for European and American markets; tourist trade
