Zuni Sandpainting Appraisal

Navajo Sandpainting: Sun Face and Guardians

This is a traditional Navajo sandpainting (‘ii’kááh) created for the commercial market, likely dating from the mid-to-late 20th century. The central motif is the Sun Face, a powerful deity in Navajo cosmology, surrounded by stylized feathers and radiating lines symbolizing sunlight. Flanking the Sun Face are two anthropomorphic figures, possibly Yeii spirits or guardians, depicted with rectangular heads and elongated bodies typical of Southwestern Indigenous iconography. The piece is constructed using finely ground minerals and naturally colored sands adhered to a flat board, creating a textured, matte surface. The palette consists of earth-tones: ochre, terracotta, charcoal, and ivory, with turquoise-colored accents. The composition is framed by stepped geometric patterns in the corners, reminiscent of textile designs. The artwork is housed in a contemporary shadow-box style wooden frame with a weathered, grey-wash finish and a cream-colored inner liner. The frame shows minor scuffing on the corners, and the sand application appears intact with no visible loss or moisture damage, suggesting a well-preserved condition. The craftsmanship indicates a skilled hand, with sharp line work and consistent sand density throughout the intricate iconography.