Offered in this lot is a Diné (Navajo), Sand Painting titled, "Yei Dancer", Wood Framed. Written provenance tag on rear of frame states, "'Yei Dancer' The Yei Dancer is used by the Navajos during the nine-days ritual ceremony and chants." The Yei Bi Chei (also spelled Yébichai) is a sacred night dance of the Diné (commonly but improperly called Navajo) people of the southwestern United States. The ceremony lasts nine days and has a healing function for tribe members and is generally performed in the winter. For the Diné (Navajo), the sand painting is a dynamic, living, sacred entity that enables a transformation in the mental and physical state of the ailing individual. They believe that the holy figures in the painting absorb the ailment and provide relief. There are two forms of Diné (Navajo) sandpaintings. The first is used in the traditional healing or blessing ceremony conducted by a Singer or Medicine Man, a hataalii. The second form is sandpainting as an art, created on a piece of particle board or plywood. In this form, elements of the sacred ceremonies, some very nearly complete, are presented as a unique and permanent art form. Coloured sands, crushed dried plants, crushed stone, or other powdered pigments are applied to the glue-covered backing. The overall design is intended to be an art presentation that uses the sacred Diné symbols in the manner that would not be considered disrespectful. The figure in this piece is dressed in ceremonial garments in a highly symmetrical manner as is customary of Diné sand art. This rustic style wood framed sand art is in very fine condition, no obvious marring noted to the art, no obvious marring noted to frame. Visible art measures 5.5"W x 11.5"L, frame measures 8"W x 14"L