Featured Native dancer and Virgin Mary? statue

I just purchased this statue in Arizona. I believe it is a Native dancer and perhaps the Virgin Mary. I believe it is made from a type of ceramic and mounted on a wood base. I would appreciate any information. Thanks!

 

he's just looking for her contact lens !

 

The Yaqui Indians of Sonora Mexico and southern Arizona perform a deer dance on ceremonial occasions.

"The deer dance represents the both elegant and profound struggle between good and evil and how to restore and maintain the balance with nature. Traditionally, deer dancing is associated with hunting as a means of securing the appropriate relation with the plant and animal world. Nowadays, the dance is performed in many different occasions and even during Catholic processions or holidays. The Yaquis were largely Christianized by Spanish Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century and have since been practicing a blend of their original polytheistic traditions and devotional Catholic spirituality."
https://sinchi-foundation.com/flower-world-yaqui-deer-dance-spirituality/

 

Here's another source about their connection ...
https://open.uapress.arizona.edu/read/with-good-heart/section/fa9e5578-d6f8-44be-829c-42161ca132d9

 

Interesting.Thanks

 

The female figure probably represents Our Lady of Guadalupe.


"Guardians of Chuk Shon: I'itoi, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Padre Kino, Yoeme spirit power"
https://www.lacorua.com/codex/category/people

 

Thanks a lot for all the interesting information.

 

It's a good statue, I like it.

 

Agreed!

 

It turns out that it is a statue by Arturo Montoya. I found a very similar statue of his in the Tucson Museum of Art Montoya, Arturo - YAQUI DEER DANCER FIGURE | Tucson Museum of Art (pastperfectonline.com). I do not know much information about him yet, but it is an interesting piece.

 

That figure is worked in clay.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUtArG9Fx7Z/

Debora

 

Here's another with some information ...



https://www.amerind.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/nl_vol7_no1-2.pdf

You be able to get access to an tape recorded interview ...
http://www.azarchivesonline.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/uoa/UAMS615.xml


Much of what I've found online is connected to this man, Louis David Valenzuela, Yoeme/Yaqui Carver. He was mentored by Arturo Montoya.
http://yoemecarver.com/bio.htm
He may be your best contact to find out more.

 

Thanks! Great info!!!

 

At the same sale I also bought this painting with a clay sculpture woman. I thought it might be made by the same person, but perhaps it is just a tourist item. Please let me know your thoughts and if might recognize the attire or house type by region. It does have some damage on neck and feet. I included a pic of the back and frame. Thanks!

 

I do not know, but it's nice too.

 

Both are very interesting pieces. You might want to have someone at the Tucson museum take a look at them.

Debora