Inv# A1903

Guarantee: 2019 hand-crafted clay Yei Mask Sculpture “Lizard Chant” by Diné artist, David K. John                            

Detailed Description:  hand-shaped, kiln-fired clay mask, including a protruding, round, hand-formed clay mouthpiece and a forehead clay decorative piece for feather attachment.  After kiln firing, water-based acrylic paints are applied; legal feathers are attached at the forehead area; and a reed bundle is attached to one side using small leather ties.  A braided steel hanging wire is attached across the back using 2 small holes pre-formed prior to kiln firing.

Materials: clay; water-based acrylic paints; legal bird feathers; reed sticks; leather ties; backside hanging wire of braided steel

Detailed Dimensions: 

• Top to bottom length:  7” for clay mask; reed sticks extend another 2” higher on right side.

• Side to side width:  5” for clay mask; head feathers extend another 1.25” to left side.

• Vertical center of mask 1.25” higher than sides.  Mouth breathing tube extends 0.75” above the mask center, so at the mouthpiece the mask is approx. 2” high.

• Mask clay thickness varies:  0.17>0.3” thick.

Weight:  10.6 oz.

Comments:  David named this wonderful Yei mask sculpture “Lizard Chant”.

Here are David’s comments on features of this Yei sculpture.  Starting at the top of the mask:

• Water-based acrylic paints; no solvents or sealants

• Feathers: legal bird feathers—no federally prohibited migratory bird feathers. 

• Right side painted symbol: corn plant

• Center symbol above mouthpiece:  sun

• Left side figures: 2 lizards  

• Left side: the reed-like stick bundle represents reeds that in the Diné Creation Narrative enabled the Diné people to escape a devastating flood in the 3rd world under this, their 4th world.  According to that narrative, when the flood came to the 3rd world, the Diné People climbed onto reeds that quickly grew to the sky, enabling the Diné to be saved and emerge into this the 4th world.

Additional comment by me.

• I am sure you realize the Yei clay masks & Yei figures are NOT religious objects, but are the artist’s artistic interpretation of the Yei holy spirits that in Diné religious beliefs play an important role in protecting the Diné People.  Some of the symbols are traditional Diné symbols.  However, neither the Yei masks nor the Yei figures are accurate representations of Yeis or even of YeiBiChai dancers’ masks.  Under Diné traditional religious beliefs, accurate representation of Yeis would violate religious beliefs and be offensive to Yei holy spirits.  [ Perhaps similar to Christian prohibitions on ‘using the Lord’s name in vain’? ] 

• Colors.  Notice that each of the Yei masks & Yei sculptures contain colors of black, white, blue, and yellow.  These 4 colors have special cultural and spiritual significance for the Diné People. Among other things, they represent the four cardinal directions that have spiritual significance and link to their ancestral homeland containing 4 ‘sacred’ mountains discussed in the Diné Creation Narrative.  Black represents North and their sacred northern mountain, Dibe’ Ntsaa [Hesperus Peak].  White represents East and their sacred eastern mountain, Sisnaajini [Blanca Peak].  Blue represents South and their sacred southern mountain Tsoodzil [Mount Taylor].  Yellow represents West and their sacred mountain Dook’o’oosliid [San Francisco Peaks].  For more info:  https://navajopeople.org/blog/the-navajo-four-sacred-colors/

• The yellow round protuberance on the Yei mask sculpture adds even more delightful presence to the sculpture.  It is not a nose, but rather is representative of the mouth breathing tube on the masks worn by Yei impersonators during the YeiBiChai ‘dance’ of the Nightway Healing Ceremony.  On those real masks, breathing tubes are often made of the neck of a dried gourd. 

• The sculpture’s white area surrounding the base of the yellow breathing tube is another great detail.  It is representative of downy owl feathers typically used on real YeibiChai masks at the base of their dried gourd breathing tube.

It is our sincere hope that you enjoy these additional details and comments.  Thank you!