Description

Counting Coup is a magnificent bronze sculpture presented annually to the Red Earth ambassador.

Held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Red Earth is a weekend long annual celebration of Native American cultures and traditions.  The Red Earth Ambassador of the Year award was founded in 1991 to promote pride in Native American heritage and to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in presenting a positive image of Native Americans.  It is represented by a magnificent bronze sculpture of a proud young warrior holding a coup stick. The sculpture is titled Counting Coup and was created by Cherokee artist Troy Anderson. Counting coup is considered the ultimate in bravery; if a warrior can touch the enemy with his coup stick and escape without injury to either party he is considered to be the bravest of the tribe.

Kevin Costner received the first award in 1991 for his sensitive portrayal of Native Americans in the movie Dances with Wolves. Other notable recipients of the sculpture are award-winning author Tony Hillerman; Richard West, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian; William Allen, editor of National Geographic magazine; television magnate Ted Turner; Native American film actor Wes Studi; Pulitzer Prize-winning author Scott Momaday; Olympic athlete Billy Mills; and Charles Chibitty, of the elite Comanche Code Talkers during World War II.

Condition: Excellent – original condition.
Provenance: Acquired from the Van Poucke private collection in Arkansas.