Apache Antelope Head Dress
Apache Antelope Head Dress handmade by Navajo Artist, Matthew Kirk Tafoya
Approximately 8" X 10.5"
When Matt was making this head dress, he was thinking about hunting antelope in the hot dry lands between Dook’o’Oo’slid (San Francisco Peak) and Winslow. The colors and style were inspired by that land and the decorative repeating cut out design around the brim inspired by rain drops and mountains and valleys.
The head dress also has Apache style bead work inspired by clouds and rainbows. This type of head dress represents posterity and could be used for dance regalia in Navajo/Apache war, shield, hunting, victory, and second night dances.
This style of head dress could also be worn by scouts, warriors, and chiefs in social and ceremonial settings. These types of hats were traditionally only worn by men and for a specific purpose.
The head dress is constructed of buckskin leather and re-enforced with raw hide and leather thongs. The antelope horns are attached with leather strips which are fastened to the outer hat and inner framework. The top is embellished with turkey feathers to reference Navajo/Apache hegemony, food security, and prosperity, which interestingly are all absent today.
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*OOAK Statement: Our items are all handmade and one of a kind. Pieces may vary slightly from photo.