Wright's Indian Art > Folk Art > Wood Carving, Etc.

Wooden toys are as old as history. Native Americans, like others throughout the millennia, whittled and carved figures from odd bits of wood. Navajo wood figures today often poke fun at stereotypes both Native and tourist.

Mud toys - little horses, sheep, goats, and people - were and are formed from moistened soil, sun-dried, and sometimes painted with poster colors. Mamie Deschillie, in the 1940's and on, started to paste together charming animals from cardboard boxes and brown grocery bags. Although most Southwest Indian folk art is Navajo in origin, Zuni beaded figures are also highly regarded.

Most of these pieces originated in the Four Corners region. About 35 or more years ago, a dealer in Farmington, New Mexico, recognized the value of this artless work, and began to promote it. With its color, charm and often amusingly sly observations of human nature, Native American folk art, whether in wood or other media, has become a favorite collectible.