Untitled (Coyote and Turtle)

Media - 1986.65.339 - SAAM-1986.65.339_1 - 67499
Copied 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
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
Mediums Description
carved, varnished, and painted walnut
Classifications
Keywords
  • Animal
  • 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.