Navajo Silver Box with Zuni Knife Wing Man
Artist: Once Known
Dimensions: 6 1/4″L x 5 1/4”W x 2”H
Tribe: Navajo/ Zuni
Signed: Unknown hallmark of an arrow
Stone: Multi-stone
Material: Silver
Additional Info: Engraved inside, “Merry Christmas 1944 Ma & Bow”
As seen in Elegant Vessels: A century of southwest silver boxes (Page 40 & 41)
The figure of the Knife Wing Man appears prominently in Zuni traditional stories. Sometimes referred to as a Knife Wing Bird, this being, with its ever-present cloud headdress, outstretched wings, and birdlike tail flanked by human legs, so piqued the interest of Dr. Ferderick W. Hodge that he, as previously stated, asked Teddy Weahkee to reproduce the image in stone mosaic. The resulting popularity of Weahkee’s creation led to innumerable similar renditions appearing as jewelry and on boxes. It is difficult to accurately attribute inlaid figures to their creators.
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