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KING ISLAND DANCER BELT The King Island Dancer Belt was created in 1989. It has been an important part of a private collection, and been featured in the book “Arctic Transformations: The Jewelry of Denise and Samuel Wallace" as well as the travelling museum exhibit of the same name. Photographs of the pieces from this belt have been used to promote Native causes (the Answer the Census call from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1990), as well as to illustrate a variety of magazine and newspaper articles since it was created. It is a perfect example of the Wallace’s single-theme, multiple-use design that is the hallmark of their famous jewelry. The belt consists of eighteen major elements—each a figure that is simultaneously a part of the belt, but which can be a pin or pendant that can worn separately. As a belt, these figures are all connected with rectangular tabs that themselves are individually designed masks. Of the eighteen major pieces—dancers, shaman, singers and drummers— all have been used as the basis for other creations by the Wallaces and they have made other versions of the same pieces up to five times as limited edition items. Do the math, and this one belt is the backbone for not only the eighteen separate pieces of wearable jewelry into which it can be transformed, but also ninety other pins, pendants, and elements for necklaces and shorter belts—the King Island Dancers have been a big hit! Alaska’s real King Island Dancers (a troupe which still performs with the goal of maintaining and teaching their culture) performed in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the late 1980’s, where Denise saw their dance. In her book, “Arctic Transformations: The Jewelry of Samuel and Denise Wallace”, author Lois Sherr Dubin relates Denise’s explanation of the belt’s original concept: “My belief is to keep my Native culture alive through my work, so I like to pay tribute to the people that also do that.” Author Dubin has also found a way to connect the Wallace’s designs, the King Island people, and her graphic demonstration of the seasonal life of Native North American peoples. In her book, “Arctic Transformations: The Jewelry of Samuel and Denise Wallace” pg.45, Dubin uses her circular graphic “Seasonal Round” to demonstrate the annual life-cycle experienced by the people of King Island. To accentuate the graph, Dubin highlights the twelve points of the year with twelve of this belt’s elements. The King Island Dancer Belt is made from Sterling Silver with a variety of semi-precious stones and ancient Fossilized Walrus Tusk Ivory inlays. As a complete belt, it measures 36” long. Information on pricing, viewing in person, and other details is available by request to Grant or Betsy Turner at 877-909-8794 or sales@longagoandfaraway.com A booklet has been published on this amazing piece, and we've put the pages of that booklet into a slideshow which you will find below - please use the Left/Right arrows to navigate through the book. |
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