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Ceremonial Pin (Di-Yo)

Arts of the Americas

CULTURE Maidu
MEDIUM Manzanita wood, pileated and acorn woodpecker scalp, swan feathers, glass beads, cotton string
DATES late 19th–early 20th century
DIMENSIONS 3 x 19 1/4 in. (7.6 x 48.9 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 08.491.8812
CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1908, Museum Collection Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This ceremonial plume would have been worn straight across the back of the head, stuck into a hair net. Curator Culin's informant, George, said that it indicated his rank as captain and it had been a gift to him. The raw materials are responsible for much of the effect of wealth and prestige. The larger piliated woodpecker does not live around Chico; its feathers must be traded in from the mountains. This pin employs sixteen of its scalps- a multiple of four, the sacred number. The manzanita wood for the shaft is especially hard and difficult to carve.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Maidu. Ceremonial Pin (Di-Yo), late 19th–early 20th century. Manzanita wood, pileated and acorn woodpecker scalp, swan feathers, glass beads, cotton string, 3 x 19 1/4 in. (7.6 x 48.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1908, Museum Collection Fund, 08.491.8812. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 08.491.8812.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 08.491.8812.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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Maidu. <em>Ceremonial Pin (Di-Yo)</em>, late 19th–early 20th century. Manzanita wood, pileated and acorn woodpecker scalp, swan feathers, glass beads, cotton string, 3 x 19 1/4 in. (7.6 x 48.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1908, Museum Collection Fund, 08.491.8812. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 08.491.8812.jpg)