Effigy Vessel

This effigy vessel was collected from Pueblo Bonito, the largest great house in Chaco Culture NHP. The artistry of the maker captures the playful spirit of a young badger. Badgers figure prominently in American Indian cultural traditions and in the Southwest are associated with legends, clans, colors, and cardinal directions.

The form of this effigy is unusual and the only one known in the Southwest. The unique form and the realistic depiction of a badger's face combine to make this effigy vessel an excellent representative of the exceptionally creative and artistic artifacts recovered from Pueblo Bonito.