Huichol Native Beaded Heart Ornament with Red Turtle

Description

This heart ornament is created by spreading beeswax on the surface of a gold painted heart.  Then beads are placed into the wax using a needle. The beads used on all the Huichol art here are much smaller than those usually used and we call the ‘micro beads’.  This enables really detailed work!  Gold and silver plated beads embelishment the heart.  It’s 2 1/4″ X 2 1/2″.

Here the beads form a red turtle with a blue peyote in the center.  Peyote, called ‘jicuri’, is used in ceremonies as sacred medicine, allowing connection with the spirit world, deities and ancestors.  The turtle assists the rain goddess and protects the purity of all water.  It is also responsible for the replenishing of underground springs.

As with all our art, this ornament is completely handmade by a Huichol artist.