Plains Peyote Feather and Beaded Dance Fan / Wand

ca. 1930-1950

.75" D x 16" L + 6.5" L Rope Fringe Tassel

Hand Crafted with Blue and Orange Feathers Wrapped in Hide Leather with Rope Fringe Tassels and Glass Seed Beads in a Colorful Geometric Design

In Very Good Condition

A Plains peyote feather and beaded dance wand (more commonly called a peyote fan, prayer fan, or loose-feather fan) is a ceremonial object used primarily in Native American Church (peyote) meetings among Southern and Central Plains tribes, such as the Kiowa, Comanche, Osage, and others.
These fans typically feature a cluster of bird feathers (often eagle, macaw, caracara, hawk, or mixed species, sometimes with dyed hackles or serrated edges) loosely attached to a wooden handle. The handle is covered in fine glass beadwork using the gourd stitch (also known as peyote stitch), frequently in geometric or symbolic designs with colors like red, white, blue, yellow, and others. Twisted or cut leather (buckskin or doeskin) fringe often hangs from the base, sometimes with additional metal accents, horsehair, or attachments.