Hopi Kachina Plates

"Twenty-First Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology ...1899-1900", U.S. Bureau of Ethnology

This complete 1903 edition contains the famous chromolithographic plates of Hopi Katchinas that were painted by three Hopi artists for Fewkes. The report includes The Report of the Director, which provides a description of the office research, field research and explorations, etc. There are two papers of ethnological importance, Hopi Katchinas and Iroquoian Cosmology. The section, "Hopi Katchinas Drawn by Native Artists" by Jesse Walter Fewkes, relates to certain supernatural beings of the Hopi pantheon known as Katchinas. It is profusely illustrated with chromolithographed plates that are made from drawings by Indian artists well-versed in their symbolism. Each plate is backed up with a brief description and throws a fresh insight into the religious customs and art of the Hopi. It also provides a list of the societies and festivals associated with kachinas. The last section, "Iroquoian Cosmology First Part" by J.N.B. Hewitt, provides an interesting and informative outline of three of five versions of Iroquoian cosmology - Onandaga, Seneca and Mohawk. Each version covers the legend of how "man came about" in three forms; the legend in the native language as told by a tribal elder, a "metaphorical" translation and a lyrical translation in a narrative form (in English). Six photographic plates portray tribal leaders. Map in back pocket is titled North America Bureau of American Ethnology Progress Map, (17.5 x 23.5"). 8vo, 360 pp, complete. Hardbound in original green cloth with embossed gilt vignette of Indian chief on front and title on spine. This is probably the most colorful and sought-after of the BAE reports, published when John Wesley Powell was its director.

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Condition: A

Cover and gilt with virtually no wear, just very slight bumping to corner with a couple loose signatures.