Navajo Sand Painting Appraisal

Navajo Hoop Dancer Sand Painting

This is a 4x6 inch Navajo sand painting depicting a traditional ceremonial hoop dancer. The piece is constructed using finely ground, naturally colored sands and minerals adhered to a rigid fiberboard or particleboard base. The central figure is shown in a dynamic, crouched pose expressive of movement, holding two large white hoops. The dancer is adorned with a detailed feather headdress, an ochre-colored cape or collar, and a green kilt with white accents. The color palette consists of earthy tones including terracotta, deep brown, charcoal black, ochre, and sage green, set against a neutral tan sand background. Below the dancer, a stylized ground line is represented with brown and red sand, flanked by two small desert shrubs or succulents. The application of sand shows precise linework, particularly in the thin hoops and the delicate feathers of the headdress, indicating a high level of craftsmanship common in mid-to-late 20th-century Navajo souvenir art. The condition appears excellent with no visible sand loss, cracking, or moisture damage to the substrate. While no maker's mark is visible on the front, these items often featured a commemorative label or artist signature on the reverse.