ORNAMENTS
The Trail of Painted 6010847 Golden Jewel Pony Ornament 3.375″
Golden Jewel Pony was conceived as a stunning way to both honor and share, with the modern world, various Native American traditions. One such tradition encompasses wearing unique, distinctive, handcrafted jewelry made of precious metals and adorned with turquoise and authentic gemstones. The designs, strongly influenced by spiritual beliefs and tribal legends, were not simply decorative, but served as a wearable bank that depicted social class within a tribe.
The Trail of Painted Ponies 6010848 Peacekeeper Ornament 2.625″
We all know someone with a heart of gold who would do anything for friends and family. Someone who puts others first when times are tough, shows kindness and love, and is always there for you in times of need. Peacekeeper is an equine tribute to these very special people who prove time and again that angels do indeed walk this earth.
The Trail of Painted Ponies 6010849 Tatanka Ska Ornament 2.5″
The coats of buffalo are traditionally brown, so when a white buffalo is born, according to Plains Indians tribal lore, it is a sacred sign of good times to come. The horse is another animal highly revered by Native Americans, so this artist felt a blending of the two would make a striking design that honored both the buffalo and the horse. Adorned with accompanying symbols - circles around the eyes and nose to see and smell danger, lightning bolts for speed and nimble-footedness and a bear paw for strength - Tatanka Ska (Lakota for white buffalo) represents an icon of hope and positive transformation.
The Trail of Painted Ponies 6010850 Winchester Ornament 2.68 Inch
Seen in the hands of countless cowboys in numerous Hollywood westerns, the Winchester, lever-action repeating rifle, was the weapon of choice for the Western horseman. For good reason, it allowed the user to fire a number of shots before having to reload. The Winchester was conveniently carried in a tooled leather scabbard that was strapped to the saddle, where it was kept safe, easily drawn, and ready at all times. This rifle was the iconic firearm of 19th century America, which is why it is often called 'The Gun that Won the West'.
Trail of Painted Ponies 6009160 Thunderbird Ornament 2.6″
The Thunderbird is a dominant icon in Native American Indian culture and art, both highly respected and feared because these magical creatures could be a force for both good and evil. Their flapping wings brought rain and storms, which were good for crops, but the lightning shooting from their eyes could also cause destructive winds, flooding and fires. Throughout history, depictions of the Thunderbird have appeared on totem poles, pictographs, jewelry, carvings… and now, on a Painted Pony.
Trail of Painted Ponies 6009162 Fury Ornament 2″
- The sky grows dark and ominous as storm clouds roll in. Like creeping celestial creatures, they stretch their silent fingers across the sky and pull their bodies forward to block out the stars. They are alive with color now, breathing purple, turquoise and gold, and their introductory silence is temporary. First comes a low rumble, then a flash of light. The storm clouds seem almost to smirk at each other as they complete their formation, preparing to release their fury into the sky - bright, booming and unstoppable. Then angry stinging bolts of lightning crack across the Heavens, unleashed by the creatures hanging above the earth in the black of night.
Trail of Painted Ponies 6011699 Adoration Ornament 2.75″
A mighty angel, in the form of a horse, bows down to the Divine Infant in an act of deep love and respect. Such a special child, radiating with hope for all mankind, deserving of the adoration caught in this silent and awe-inspiring moment. The magnificent horse will spread its powerful wings and tell others of the Holy Child, but only after it has basked in the glory of His presence for just a little longer.
Trail of Painted Ponies 6011700 Christmas Crystals Ornament 2.8 Inches
Trail of Painted Ponies 6011702 Christmas Past Ornament 3.27″
Trail of Painted Ponies 6011702 Snow Ready Ornament 2.6″
Trail of Painted Ponies 6011704 Spirit of Christmas Present Ornament 2.5″
In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Present is described as a jovial giant clad in a green mantle trimmed with white fur, with an icicle studded wreath of holly upon his head. He carries a torch shaped like horn, from which the Spirit spreads his blessing of hope and good cheer. He invisibly leads Ebeneezer Scrooge through the cobble-stone streets of London, blessing every celebration of the day, no matter how humble. The Trail of Painted Ponies celebrates this Christmas classic with its equestrian version titled Spirit of Christmas Present.
Trail of Painted Ponies 6019161 Wild Blue Remembering 9/11 Ornament 2.6″
There have been a number of powerful tributes to the tragedy of 9/11, among them the commemorative public art installation known as the Tribute of Lights: a pair of giant beams of light, installed at Ground Zero, that mimicked the position and shape of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center as they illuminated the night sky over Manhattan. With this image in mind, I conceived of a Painted Pony that utilized the same form that The Trail created for a previous tribute to 9/11 titled "Unconquered," which posed a white stallion triumphantly atop rubble intended to represent the collapsed Twin Towers, with an American flag behind it. But instead of a white horse, this piece would feature a faceted blue horse. Blue because the lights in the Tribute of Lights were blue. Faceted to represent the 43,600 windows that were part of the Twin Towers, as well as the venues on the top floors of the North Tower which were called Windows on the World. The title - "Wild Blue" - borrows the name of a restaurant in the North Tower that was destroyed.