Inv# A1905

Guarantee: 2019 hand-crafted Yei Sculpture, “Thunder Returns”, by Diné artist, David K. John                            

Detailed Description:  hand-shaped, hand-made, kiln-fired clay sculpture of a stylized curved-body Yei figure including: a protruding, round, hand-formed clay mouthpiece, a forehead clay decorative piece for feather attachment, a decorative clay neck collar representing YeibiChai dancers’ spruce neck ruff, & a decorative clay 1-strand necklace.  After kiln firing, water-based acrylic paints were applied; legal feathers are attached at the forehead area; and a reed bundle is attached to the left 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:  20” long & reed sticks extend another 3” higher on right side.

• Side to side width:  3.75” & head feathers extend another 1” to left side.

• Height:  Mouth breathing tube extends 5/8” above the flat head area; & the lower part of Yei body is elevated in a “wave”shape that is 1.25” high.

• Thickness of clay body: varies:  0.19>0.25” thick.

Weight:  1 pound & 5.2 oz.

COMMENTS.

David named this wonderful sculpture “Thunder Returns”.  Here are his comments on some aspects of this Yei sculpture.  Starting at the bottom of the figure:

corn plant

• 2 dragonfly symbols

• spiral represents time

• white circles represent different worlds

• multi-colored painted zigzag design on the central body area represents weaving designs symbolizing thunder clouds.

• Feathers are legal feathers—no federally prohibited migratory bird feathers

• 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 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.

• Water-based acrylic paints—no solvents or sealants

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 white, blue, yellow and black.  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 Yei sculpture’s necklace is a wonderful detail.  Any ‘potter’ knows the skill it takes to create such a high quality, intricate feature in clay.  The necklace is representative of traditional Diné necklaces of white clam shell heishi & turquoise beads. [2 colors of cultural significance]

• The Yei sculpture’s intricately detailed green, ruffled neck ‘collar’ is another delightful and  impressive detail!  Another indicator that David is a highly skilled clay sculptor—forming such delicate, 3-dimensional details is challenging. This Yei feature is indicative of the spruce branch ruff collars worn by Diné people who impersonate Yei Spirits when performing the YeiBiChai ‘dance’ during the Diné Nightway Healing Ceremony whose purpose is to respectfully call upon the Yeis to assist in healing a person. 

• The yellow round protuberance on the Yei sculpture’s face 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!