Papago Altar Set

From the White Dove of the Desert mission church near Tucson, Arizona. I seem to recall that that this piece was something called a "monstrance", whose significance might be explained here. Disclaimer: Not being a Christian, myself, I bring something less than total expertise to my choice of references on this subject.

Note the use of Tohono O’Odham (Papago) basketwork in the decoration of the item, and in the vessel to the right. This was a recurring them in the small museum found within this mission, the pre-Christian artistic tradition of the Native people finding expression in the ceremonial objects.

See: the introductory page for my Southwestern Photo gallery.