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Navajo-Style Thunderbird Sand Painting Mosaic Panel, Mixed Media, 1960s CA.c. 1960
c. 1960
$2,600
£1,989.49
€2,276.99
CA$3,671.88
A$3,990.71
CHF 2,138.66
MX$48,454.29
NOK 26,849.52
SEK 24,898.85
DKK 17,006.28
About the Item
This powerful mid-century mosaic panel presents a Navajo-style Thunderbird figure rendered in richly textured mixed media, combining ceramic tile, colored glass, and sand. The composition is bold and highly graphic, centering on the Thunderbird with outstretched wings, angular legs, and geometric detailing that draws directly from the visual language of traditional Southwestern and Navajo sand painting imagery. Executed in strong contrasts of black, white, ochre, green, and red, the figure is set against a densely pebbled sand ground that adds depth, tactility, and visual movement across the surface.
The mosaic is meticulously constructed with hand-set tesserae forming crisp, linear patterns, while the granular background reinforces the work’s sculptural presence. Particularly striking are the articulated wing sections and directional arrow motifs that frame the figure, visually anchoring the composition and enhancing its ceremonial symbolism. The Thunderbird—an emblem of power, protection, and natural forces—was a recurring subject in mid-century Southwestern-inspired decorative arts, valued for its strong symbolic resonance and dramatic visual impact.
The work is attributed to I. Henry Studio of Tehachapi, California, and dates to the 1960s. Though little formal documentation survives, I. Henry is understood to have operated as a small regional studio or independent artisan active during the postwar period, producing high-quality decorative panels and architectural artworks. Tehachapi’s geographic position between Southern California and the American Southwest placed it within a creative corridor where artists frequently blended Indigenous-inspired imagery with modern materials and mid-century design sensibilities.
Works from studios such as I. Henry reflect a broader mid-20th-century American fascination with Native American aesthetics, interpreted through studio craft traditions rather than ceremonial practice. These pieces were often commissioned for private residences, lodges, or commercial interiors, where durability, texture, and bold graphic presence were essential. This panel successfully translates the ephemeral nature of sand painting into a permanent mixed-media format, giving the design longevity while retaining a strong sense of ritual form.
Mounted on a sturdy black vinyl–covered panel with original hanging hardware on the reverse, the piece is ready for wall display. It remains a visually commanding and uncommon example of mid-century Southwestern-inspired mosaic art, ideal for collectors of studio craft, Native American–influenced design, or architectural wall works of the 1960s.
The panel is in very good vintage condition consistent with age and intended use. Minor surface irregularities and slight variations in tesserae alignment are inherent to the hand-crafted mosaic process. The sand-textured ground shows light, expected wear with no significant losses observed. The black vinyl–covered backing panel and hanging hardware appear original and remain intact and functional.
- Attributed to:I. Henry (American)
- Creation Year:c. 1960
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- More Editions Sizes:28 x 25.5Price: $2,600
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Condition:The panel is in very good vintage condition consistent with age and intended use. Minor surface irregularities and slight variations in tesserae alignment are inherent to the hand-crafted mosaic process.
- Gallery Location:Camden, ME
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2917217326482
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