Untitled (Coyote and Turtle)

Unidentified, Untitled (Coyote and Turtle), after 1930, carved, varnished, and painted walnut, 15 ³⁄₈ x 9 ⁵⁄₈ x 14 in. (39.2 x 24.5 x 35.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.339

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Artwork Details

Title: Untitled (Coyote and Turtle)
Artist: Unidentified
Date: after 1930
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
/
1st Floor
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West Wing
Dimensions: 15 ³⁄₈ x 9 ⁵⁄₈ x 14 in. (39.2 x 24.5 x 35.5 cm.)
Credit Line: Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums: walnut
Mediums Description: carved, varnished, and painted walnut
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Animal — reptile — turtle
Animal — coyote
Object Number: 1986.65.339
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.65.339

Artwork Description

This carving seems to portray a Hopi tale about Coyote and Turtle. Turtle foolishly leaves the river, but tricks Coyote into helping him get back home. While the carver of this sculpture is unknown, the imagery resembles illustrations done by Fred Kabotie (1900--86), a Hopi from the second Mesa, for Taytay's Tales, published in 1922.